FCO: Assets of Cultural Significance

Lord Freyberg: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Amos on 2 May (WA 135), what plans they have to sell any of the antiques or cultural assets held in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office buildings in London and at posts overseas.

Baroness Amos: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in the process of disposing of a small number of antique and reproduction pieces in the UK. These are not considered to be historically important to the FCO. Proceeds will be used to purchase modern furniture which conforms with current health and safety regulations and is more suited to the demands of IT working.

Commonwealth Prime Ministers: Personal Profiles

Earl Russell: asked her Majesty's Government:
	How many Commonwealth Prime Ministers since 1945 had, before they came into office, been sentenced to imprisonment by British authorities; and how many of these sentences were—
	(a) of less than two years' detention;
	(b) of more than two years' detention; and
	(c) of indeterminate length.

Baroness Amos: An answer to the question would require compilation of the personal profiles of all Commonwealth Prime Ministers since 1945; searches through domestic criminal records in the UK and its overseas territories (involving work by Home Office/Attorney-General's Office/Lord Chancellor's Department); searches through all relevant Colonial and India Office records from 1945 onwards.
	Such information is not held centrally and the cost to undertake the necessary research would be disproportionate.

FCO Objectives

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why there is no reference to an ethical dimension to foreign policy in the list of objectives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office contained within the HM Treasury document 2002 Spending Review: Public Service Agreements 2003–2006 (Cm 5571).

Baroness Amos: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's objectives describe what the FCO aims to achieve across the full range of its activities. The Government continue to put human rights at the heart of their foreign policy. This is evident in many of the latest objectives, just as it was in the objectives for the 2000 Spending Review period.

Labour Market: 18–24 year olds

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many new entrants aged 18–24 there were in the United Kingdom labour markets in 2001; and in each of the following years: 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1996; and
	When they last published figures on new entrants aged 18–24 to the United Kingdom labour market; and when they intend to publish such figures again.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter to Baroness Greengross from the National Statistician and Registrar General, Len Cook, dated July 2002.
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions about new entrants to the United Kingdom labour market aged 18–24. (HL5612 and HL5615)
	The Labour Force Survey (LFS) provides estimates of the economic status of people aged 18–24. These are published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release, which is available from the House of Commons Library. The latest release was published on 17 July 2002. The next edition will be published on 14 August 2002.
	The attached table gives the estimates for 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001. These estimates are from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and are not seasonally adjusted. This information is not available for the other years mentioned in your question.
	It is not possible to distinguish which of the employed and unemployed 18–24 year olds shown in the table were "new entrants" to the labour market.
	
		Labour market summary for people aged 18–24 -- United KingdomThousands, not seasonally adjusted
		
			  In employment Unemployed Economically inactive 
			 March to May 1981(1) 4,026 730 1,154 
			 March to May 1986 4,366 912 1,213 
			 March to May 1991 4,184 643 1,188 
			 March to May 1996 3,283 536 1,261 
			 March to May 2001 3,308 347 1,346 
		
	
	Source: ONS Labour Force Survey
	(1)For years prior to 1984, the statistics for the unemployed and economically inactive populations were produced using a slightly different definition.

Labour Market: 50–65 year-olds

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many 50–65 year olds were resident in the United Kingdom in 2001; and in each of the following years: 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1988, 1991 and 1996.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter to Baroness Greengross from the National Statistician and Registrar General, Len Cook, dated July 2002.
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the number of persons resident in the UK aged 50 to 65 years in 2001; and in 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1996. [HL5613]
	The Office for National Statistics normally publishes mid-year population estimates in 5-year age groups. As a result the data provided refer to persons aged 50 to 64. Mid-2001 population estimates have not yet been published so mid-2000 estimates have been provided.
	
		Total persons aged 50 to 64, United Kingdom (thousands)
		
			 Mid-year Persons 
			 1961 9,752.2 
			 1966 10,097.6 
			 1971 9,891.5 
			 1976 9,705.1 
			 1981 9,385.8 
			 1986 9,147.8 
			 1991 8,875.1 
			 1996 9,224.5 
			 2000 10,192.6

Labour Market: 50–65 year-olds

Baroness Greengross: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many 50–65 year-olds were economically inactive in the United Kingdom in 2001; and in each of the following years: 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1996; and
	When they last published figures on the number of 50–65 year-olds who are economically Inactive in the United Kingdom; and when they intend to publish such figures again.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter to Baroness Greengross from the National Statistician and Registrar General, Len Cook, dated July 2002.
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about economically inactive 50-65 year olds. (HL5614, HL5616)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes estimates of economic inactivity for people of working age, including those for men aged 50–64 and women aged 50–59. The estimates are published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release, which is available from the Library. The latest release was published on 17 July 2002. The next edition will be published on 14 August 2002.
	The attached table gives the estimates for 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001. These estimates are from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and are not seasonally adjusted. Estimates are not available for the earlier years mentioned in your question.
	
		Economically inactive people aged 50–59/64(2) United Kingdom
		
			  Thousands, not seasonally adjusted 
			 March to May 1981(3) 1,992 
			 March to May 1986 2,347 
			 March to May 1991 2,236 
			 March to May 1996 2,457 
			 March to May 2001 2,614 
		
	
	Source:
	ONS Labour Force Survey
	(2) Men aged 50–64 and women aged 50–59.
	(3) For years prior to 1984, the statistics for the economically inactive population were produced using a slightly different definition.

Single Currency

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 24 July (WA88), what constitutional principle, if any, would prevent a future government and Parliament, elected on a manifesto commitment to withdraw from economic and monetary union, from carrying it out.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The EC Treaty contains no provision for a member state to withdraw from EMU.

Africa and Asia: Debts to the UK

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What countries in Africa and Asia owe money to the United Kingdom; how much in each case; and what, if any, are the repayment arrangements.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Countries in Africa and Asia generally owe money to the UK via debts owing to the Department for International Development (DfID) or the Export Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD). Debts owing from these countries amount to around £57 million for the former and around £6 billion for the latter. In addition, the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) has some public sector debt owing to it by these countries that amounts to around £46 million. However, the Government have already written off all aid debts to the poorest countries and the majority of debts owing to DfID are written off as they fall due.
	In addition, the UK is at the forefront of the debate on international debt relief and participates fully in the enhanced heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative agreed at Cologne in 1999 that makes provision for the cancellation of around 100 billion US dollars of debt. Under the HIPC initiative a country receives interim debt relief on payments due when it reaches decision point (DP), and subsequently the debt is irrevocably cancelled at competition point (CP). Of the 42 countries classified as HIPCs, four are currently expected to have a sustainable burden of debt after traditional debt relief and one has, so far, not opted to apply for debt relief.
	Of the remaining 37 countries, 26 have now reached decision point with $62 billion in debt relief committed compared with the $100 billion total. Six of these countries, Bolivia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Mauritania, have reached completion point and will have the totality of their debts owed to the UK irrevocably cancelled. Out of 11 countries yet to reach decision point (pre-DP) eight are affected by conflict and this makes their progress in the HIPC initiative difficult.
	Moreover, the UK goes beyond the terms agreed under the HIPC initiative and always provides 100 per cent debt relief on all qualifying debts owing to DfID, ECGD C which accounts for the bulk of the debt C and CDC. In addition, for those HIPCs yet to reach decision point the UK operates a unilateral hold-in-trust policy. For those countries yet to secure debt relief because of civil wars, external conflict or the absence of a poverty reduction programme any debt payments made are held in trust until they can be returned to fund poverty reduction.
	For non-HIPCs repayment schedules and any multilateral agreements on debt forgiveness are agreed through the Paris Club group of official creditors working closely with the IMF and World Bank. The amounts owing to DfID, ECGD and CDC from countries in Africa and Asia are set out in the attached table. The amounts in each case often refer to more than one loan, and for this reason the exact repayment arrangements for all loans cannot easily be provided.
	
		Debts owing to UK by countries in Africa and Asia
		
			   Debts owing to UK, £M 
			  HIPC DfID ECGD CDC Total 
			  status  repayment 
			 African HIPCs(4) 
			 Angola Sustainable   120.0  120.0 
			 Benin DP   2.8  2.8 
			 Cameroon DP   73.5 30.7 104.2 
			 Central African Republic pre DP   0.3  0.3 
			 Congo pre DP   169.0  169.0 
			 DR Congo pre DP   192.3  192.3 
			 Cote D'Ivoire pre DP 1.47  27.4 14.3 43.1 
			 Ethiopia DP   11.5  11.5 
			 Ghana DP 4.40 None 33.4 14.7 52.5 
			 Guinea Republic DP   3.4  3.4 
			 Kenya Sustainable   20.4 4.0 24.4 
			 Liberia pre DP   19.8  19.8 
			 Madagascar DP   27.2  27.2 
			 Malawi DP 0.02 None 0.5 13.6 14.2 
			 Mali DP   4.4  4.4 
			 Mozambique DP 0.21 None   0.2 
			 Niger DP   8.4  8.4 
			 Senegal DP 0.10 None 1.5  1.6 
			 Sierra Leone DP   3.7  3.7 
			 Somalia pre DP   33.8  33.8 
			 Sudan pre DP   321.8  321.8 
			 Togo pre DP   16.8  16.8 
			 Zambia DP 25.66 None 229.2  254.9 
			 Sub-total  31.87  1,321.1  1430.3 
			  
			 Other African countries(5) 
			 Botswana 0.3 0.3 
			 Gabon123.9  123.9 
			 Lesotho 11.5 11.5 
			 Mauritius  0.16 None   0.2 
			 Nigeria  4.23  3,977.0  3,981.2 
			 Seychelles  7.89   1.8 9.7 
			 Solomon Islands  1.01 None   1.0 
			 Zimbabwe  9.23   10.2 19.4 
			 Sub-total  22.52  4,100.9 23.9 4,147.3 
			  
			 Asia 
			 India 4.1 4.1 
			 Indonesia613.0 18.0 631.0 
			 Malaysia  1.331.3 
			 Philippines  1.31  15.2  16.5 
			 Vietnam (HIPC) Sustainable   9.8  9.8 
			 Sub-total  2.64 638.0 22.1  662.7 
			  
			 Total, countries in Africa and Asia  57.03  6,060.0 45.9 6,240.3 
		
	
	(4) All HIPCs with an unsustainable burden of debt benefit from the UK's 100 per cent debt relief policy.
	(5) Some north African countries are typically defined as part of the Middle East.
	Note:
	DfID and CDC figures as of April 2002. ECGD figures as of June 2002.

Bio Fuels

Lord Palmer: asked her Majesty's Government:
	What is the fuel duty on bioethanol in pence per litre; and what, converted to pence per litre equivalent, is the fuel duty on liquid petroleum.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Bioethanol is currently taxed at 45.82p per litre. Liquid petroleum gas is taxed at 9p per kilogramme (which is the equivalent of 17.6 pence per litre).

Dangerous Severe Personality Disorder

Lord Lucas: asked her Majesty's Government:
	In the context of the draft Mental Health Bill, what evidence they are aware of as to the reliability and consistency of the diagnosis "dangerous severe personality disorder"; and whether they are aware of any studies which demonstrate biases in this diagnosis in terms of gender, social class, or (in respect of the distribution of each characteristic in the population as a whole) the "likeability" of the patient as perceived by the person making the diagnosis.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: "Dangerous severe personality disorder", or DSPD, does not exist as a clinical or legal diagnosis in its own right. There are no specific "DSPD" provisions in the draft Mental Health Bill. The term is a working definition. It is designed to cover individuals who show significant disorder of personality; present a significant risk of causing serious physical or psychological harm from which the victim would find it difficult or impossible to recover, (eg homicide, rape, arson; and in whom the risk presented appears to be functionally linked to the personality disorder.
	A developmental process of assessment designed to operationalise the above criteria is currently being piloted at HMP Whitemoor. The assessment process is comprehensive and, within a 16-week period, a number of instruments for the assessment of serious re-offending and severe personality disorder are completed. Prisoners are also observed and clinical judgements are made about the functional relationship between their disorder of personality and their serious offending behaviour.
	Due to the developmental nature of the assessment pilot and the fact that DSPD, as currently conceptualised, does not exist as a clinical disorder, no previous research has been conducted specifically into the reliability and consistency of its "diagnosis". However, the assessment pilot is currently being independently evaluated. The aims of the research, among others, are to evaluate the reliability of the process and to consider whether it is objective and does not discriminate against any particular group of individuals in respect of social, cultural or ethnic background. The evaluation does not consider the issue of gender because all prisoners eligible for the HMP Whitemoor pilot are male.
	The assessment process for DSPD does, however, build upon an existing evidence base about the assessment of severe personality disorder and the risk assessment of dangerous offending behaviour. Research shows that the instruments that are being used as part of this process are consistent, in that different clinicians are highly likely to arrive at the same diagnosis, and the measures are also shown to be stable across time.
	There is no known evidence to suggest that the tools used in the DSPD assessment process have a gender or social class bias. However, the evidence base on the assessment of dangerousness and severe personality disorder is evolving. Research is currently ongoing to consider these issues.
	There is also no known research to suggest that the "likeability" of the patient, as perceived by the person making the diagnosis, influences the assessment. However, the need to guard against the possibility is well recognised. The assessment for DSPD therefore makes use of objective assessment tools in order to help eliminate, as much as possible, any subjectivity in the assessment process.

Merseyside Police Numbers

Lord Fearn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there will be an increase in the number of police officers on the beat patrolling areas of Merseyside, and especially the town of Southport.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government's Crime Fighting Fund (CFF) provides Merseyside Police with funding to recruit 332 officers over and above the force's existing plans between 2000–01 and 2002–03.
	The CFF has assisted Merseyside Police in stabilising the previous decline in overall police numbers in the force which would otherwise have taken place as a result of the decline in the population sent by the force. There were 1,113 police officers in Merseyside as at 31 January 2002. This was 32 more than in March 2001.
	Merseyside Police is split into five local authority areas, Sefton area covers Southport and has a complement of 450 police officers and 86 civilian support staff.
	Figures collected by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary show that in 2000–01 the number of officers allocated to patrol duties was 2,313. However, the distribution of resources and deployment of officers within Merseyside is a matter for the chief constable of the force (Norman Bettison Esq QPM). I understand from the Chief Constable that the actual number of officers on duty in each neighbourhood varies hour by hour, as officers' shifts are planned to match resources as closely as possible to demand.

Funding of Terrorism and International Crime

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures they are taking to ensure that no British business facilitates or orchestrates tobacco smuggling, or assists in the funding of terrorism or the support of the illicit drug trade, organised crime or money laundering.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: These activities are criminal under United Kingdom law and where there is evidence that offences have been committed offenders will be prosecuted. The adequacy of the criminal law in these areas is kept under review and in the case of money laundering existing provisions have recently been substantially strengthened in the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Firearms Register

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the development phase of the design and development of the central register of persons who have applied for or been granted a shotgun or firearm certificate on the police national computer, as required by Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 which came into force on 1 October 1997, has been completed; and whether the pilot operation is still expected to start in September; and
	Why on 1 October this year the requirement for the establishment of a central register of persons who have applied for a shotgun or firearm certificate under Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, which came into force on 1 October 1997, will not have been complied with for a period of five years; and whether they will list other statutory obligations which the Home Office has failed to comply with for a period of five years or more.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: No time limit for establishing a register is specified in the Act. The Police Information Technology Organisation is taking the project forward as one part of the development of the Police/Home Office Extended Names Index (PHOENIX).
	I understand that the project board is currently considering their approach to PHOENIX to ensure value for money. We will write to the noble Lord once a decision has been made on the next steps to be taken.

Juvenile Offenders

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many remanded juveniles, if any, were held in police cells in the months of May and June.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: We do not hold separate figures on the number of remanded juveniles held in police cells centrally.
	However the numbers of remanded and sentenced juveniles held in police cells were 157 in May 2002 and 91 in June 2002. These figures have been provided by the Youth Justice Board who purchase juvenile secure accommodation, and are approximate. Juveniles are usually only held in police cells for one night because they are unable to reach their intended accommodation in time for admission on the same day. This problem is more serious in the south, and has eased following the availability of 112 extra places at Feltham for juveniles.

Juvenile Offenders

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many children classified as vulnerable by the local youth offending team have been held in prison rather than in secure units in May and June.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The number of young people deemed to be vulnerable by youth offending teams and placed in prison was 84 in May 2002 and 58 in June 2002.
	We are working to increase the number of non-Prison Service accommodation available for juveniles. During June an extra 32 places were made available at Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre; and we are in the process of making an extra 35 local authority secure unit places available. And in November we are expecting an extra 32 places in Medway Secure Training Centre.

Public Order Act: Internet

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that the words "displays to another person any writing, sign or visible representations" in Sections 4, 4A and 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 includes placing that material on the Internet and if not whether they consider that these sections should be amended so that material on the Internet is covered.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: I understand that placing material on the Internet would constitute a display for the purposes of Sections 4, 4A and 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.

Bail Applications

Lord Dholakia: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many bail applications, out of the total of 8,498 bail hearings before adjudicators between April 2001 and March 2002, were either (a) multiple bail applications for the same person; or (b) withdrawn on the day of the hearing.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Information on these is not held centrally.

Criminal Offence of Assisting in Act of Suicide

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In what cases other than that of suicide it is a criminal offence to assist someone to perform an act when the performance of the act is itself legal.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: I am not aware of any exact parallels to the legal position with regard to suicide, although there are other instances where activities associated with an act are unlawful when the act itself is not (e.g. prostitution).

Truancy and Crime

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made any analysis of the relationship between the criminal records of juvenile offenders and any significant record of truancy on their part.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Youth Justice Board's MORI 2002 Youth Survey explored the levels of truancy amongst both mainstream and excluded pupils. The survey also found a strong link between truancy and offending as 44 per cent of pupils who admitted committing a crime in the previous 12 months had played truant. The survey was published by the board on Monday 20 May 2002 and a copy was placed in the Library at the time of publication.

Truancy and Crime

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are considering the need for an earlier court appearance for juvenile offenders who have a history of both offending and truancy.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Measures introduced in 1999 in the magistrates' courts have streamlined case preparation and ensured that defendants are brought to court at the earliest opportunity. In addition, cases are fast-tracked through the system under the Government's pledge to halve the time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders. The average time has been more than halved.

Truancy and Crime

Baroness Stern: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many extra places for remanded juveniles have been required as a direct result of the piloting Section 130 of the Police and Criminal Justice Act 2001.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: From 22 April 2002, the implementation date of Section 130 in the 10 street crime areas, we have provided the courts with a number of tough community alternatives to a custodial remands, including curfews with electronic monitoring as a condition of bail. In addition, intensive supervision and surveillance is now available in most sectors of the 10 street crime areas, including their major cities, and will be available throughout the whole of the 10 areas by autumn 2002. We expect this to cover some of those young people with a history of repeat offending on bail and who are at risk of a secure remand under Section 130.
	The most recent figures available indicate that from implementation until 19 July 2002, the population of juveniles remanded to local authorities with a security requirement rose from 98 to 109. This may have been because of the street crime initiative as well as a result of the implementation of Section 130. During this period 32 additional secure training centre places were made available and we expect to make another 340 places available over the next three years. We are also in the process of making available about 30 further local authority secure unit places for both remanded and sentenced juveniles.

Afghanistan

Lord Howell of Guildford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What agreements have been reached with the Afghanistan interim government to protect the status of United Kingdom military personnel in relation to the powers of the International Criminal Court or other international tribunals.

Lord Bach: The United Kingdom is fully committed to the International Criminal Court and has not sought immunity from the ICC's powers in Afghanistan, or indeed anywhere else in the world. Although the terms of ISAF Military Technical Agreement require the consent of the contributing nation before its personnel can be transferred to any international tribunal, this in no way affects the UK's commitment to the ICC or other international tribunals.

Underground Regional Emergency Centres

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which underground regional emergency centres, similar to the one close to the A19 and between Easingwold and York, have been sold; when they were sold; and for how much in each case.

Lord Bach: I will write to the noble Lord and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House. Click here to view the letter.

Anthrax Immunisation: Armed Forces

Lady Saltoun of Abernethy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether it has been decided to vaccinate members of the Armed Forces against anthrax and to put the territorial reserves on standby; if so, when the decisions were made; and why.

Lord Bach: With respect to immunisation against anthrax, I refer the noble Lady to the Answer I gave on 13 June 2002 (WA 47) to the noble Lord, Lord Christopher.
	Reservists may only be called out to support military operations under the authority of a call out order made under the Reserve Forces Act 1996. At present there are four orders in being to authorise the use of reservists for the following operations: Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo; the former Yugoslavia; enforcement of the "no-fly zones" in the region of Iraq; and worldwide operations in support of the war against terrorism. The making of each order was reported to both Houses in accordance with the provisions of the 1996 Act. No reservists are on standby for any other operations.

Chinook ZD 576

Lord Hooson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Statement by Lord Bach on 22 July (HL Deb. col. 23), whether they will place in the Library of the House or otherwise publish the advice they receive from "an extremely distinguished Queen's counsel" together with the instructions to, and the questions asked of, him or her, before there is a debate on the report of the Select Committee, under the chairmanship of Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle, on the Chinook helicopter disaster.

Lord Bach: It is not the practice of any government department to publish either such instructions or such privileged advice. I am therefore withholding the information requested in accordance with Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

F680 Process

Baroness Whitaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assurance they can give that the F680 process will not pre-empt consideration of the criteria governing the issue of export licences in the Export Control Bill, especially the criterion relating to sustainable development.

Lord Bach: The Government consider F680 applications against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria. However, it is routinely made clear that the advice to companies under this procedure does not constitute an export licence, nor guarantee any future export licence application will result in the issue of a licence.
	The Government have recently announced their decision to make procedural changes to the F680 process. Rather than as previously commenting through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development has been invited formally to comment directly on F680 applications for exports to countries where sustainable development may be considered an issue.

Observer Mission in Georgia: Helicopter Incident

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the United Nations has completed its investigation into the shooting down of a helicopter of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) on 8 October 2001; and, if so, whether the Government will place a copy of the report in the Library of the House.

Lord Bach: The board of inquiry established by the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia following the shooting down of the helicopter in October 2001, has not yet completed its report. We expect the report to be completed and passed to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Georgia in early autumn. It is likely that, as a minimum, copies of the final report will be passed to those countries whose nationals were killed in the incident (Germany, Hungary, Pakistan, Russia and Switzerland).

RAF Northolt

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they completed their review of the future use of RAF Northolt under their review of Ministry of Defence property holding within the Greater London area; when the work of the London study was published; and what proposals they now have for the future of the RAF Northolt site.

Lord Bach: The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) stated that further reductions in land and buildings in the London area should be possible. Among other sites in the Greater London area, it indicated that the future requirements at RAF Northolt should be examined in detail.
	To address this, the Strategic Development Plan for Greater London (SDP GL) was commissioned to provide an overview of the capacity and condition of the London estate and make recommendations aimed at encouraging its most efficient and effective use.
	The first phase of the study was concluded in 1999. Since then detailed studies have been undertaken to support the individual recommendations. A project team is now preparing detailed proposals for ministerial approval.
	We hope to make an announcement in the near future.

RAF Northolt

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many aircraft movements there have been from RAF Northolt in the most recent 12-month period for which they have data; and whether they will indicate by broad category the purpose of these flights.

Lord Bach: The last 12-month period for which figures are available is July 2001 to June 2002. In that time there were a total of 11,477 movements, a movement being defined as a take-off or landing. This total was made up of 3,128 movements by RAF aircraft, 334 movements by civilian aircraft on United Kingdom government business, 1,160 movements by other military aircraft and 6,855 civilian aircraft movements.

Armed Forces: Vaccines

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, if antidotes to anthrax, plague and other life-threatening diseases are required by members of the Armed Forces on active service, all the vaccines likely to be used will have been fully tested and approved.

Lord Bach: It is not our policy to use unlicensed vaccines for Armed Forces personnel, except in emergencies where no other treatment is available, and on the basis of expert medical advice.
	In certain circumstances the Ministry of Defence may consider offering unlicensed vaccines to specialist individuals who risk contact with rare and dangerous diseases by virtue of their specialisation, for example laboratory workers. This would be done only where we have full confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, where no licensed vaccine or other treatment is available, and on the basis of expert medical advice.

Gulf Veterans: Deaths

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 24 July (WA 81–83) about mortality among Gulf veterans, whether they will now relate the comparisons made between the numbers of deaths and causes of deaths among Gulf veterans and the control group to (a) regular and (b) reservist members of the Armed Forces deployed to liberate Kuwait.

Lord Bach: Of the 52,323 regular members of the United Kingdom Armed Forces who were deployed to the Gulf between 1 September 1990 and 30 June 1991, 533 had died as at 30 June 2002. Of these, the underlying cause of death is known for 525 cases. In 204 cases death was disease-related and in 321 cases due to accidental causes. Of the 1,086 reservists and volunteers known to have deployed to the Gulf in the same period, there had been 18 deaths as at 30 June 2002. Of these, the underlying cause of death is known for 17 cases. In nine cases death was disease-related and in eight cases due to accidental causes. There is no statistically-significant difference in the mortality rates of the regulars or of the reservists and volunteers who deployed to the Gulf when compared to the Era comparison group. The Government are not able to provide a more detailed breakdown of cause of death information because this might lead to the identification of individuals.

Russian Servicemen: Housing

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What extent they or any of their NATO or European Union allies have contributed to solving housing problems for the Russian military within Russia.

Lord Bach: The United Kingdom has made no specific contribution to the solution of housing problems for the military within Russia. Instead, the United Kingdom's focus has been on retraining servicemen for civilian life after retirement or redundancy. Since 1995 over 15,000 Russian servicemen have received training, of whom over 70 per cent have secured employment within four months of completing their course.
	The Government are aware of two housing projects by NATO allies dating from the mid-1990s. The German Government built around 35,000 housing units in Russia as part of the withdrawal programme of Soviet Forces from Germany and the United States Government undertook a more modest pilot scheme to build houses in rural Russia.

Intercalating Students

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether all intercalating students are eligible for either education or social security support.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Generally, intercalating students are eligible for either HE student or social security support. The student loans system is the prime means of support for full-time higher education students. Support is provided to students who are absent from their courses because of illness for the first 60 days of absence. Local education authorities (LEAs) have the discretion to decide whether they should continue to receive support after the first 60 days' absence and also when students suspend their studies for reasons other than illness, such as caring responsibilities, financial problems, bereavement, or premature termination of a work placement. We strongly encourage LEAs to exercise this discretion. Additional assistance for students who are absent from their courses may also be available through the hardship funds, which allow universities and colleges to provide discretionary support for students in particular need.
	So far as social security benefits are concerned students in the "vulnerable groups" as defined in social security legislation (such as lone parent or disabled students) continue to be eligible for income related benefits during periods of intercalation and students who have been ill for 196 days become eligible to claim income support during their period of illness. Students who, with the permission of their higher education institution, have interrupted their course because of caring responsibilities or illness but those caring responsibilities have ceased or they have recovered form that illness may claim jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit from the date their caring responsibilities ceased until they are permitted to return to the course, but, to ensure they return as soon as practicable, the claim period is limited to one year.
	Some intercalating students who are not ill, lone parents or disabled may not receive LEA discretionary student support, as well as being ineligible for social security benefits. One example is students intercalating for academic reasons, such as those who have failed their exams and only return to their HE institution to retake them a year later.

Student Support

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which students, if any, are eligible for either educational or social security support.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Support for full-time higher education students comes from the student support system, which is designed for their needs, and not from the social security system. The vast majority of students, once they begin a full-time course of study, are not eligible to claim the income-related benefits.
	However some students in the "vulnerable groups" as defined in social security legislation, principally lone parents and disabled students, may have additional costs unassociated with their studies and these students retain their eligibility for the income-related benefits subject to satisfying eligibility and income criteria. They may be eligible for both higher education student support and social security benefits.
	Full-time students in these vulnerable groups continue to be eligible for income related benefits during periods of intercalation. This now includes students who, with the permission of their HE institution, have interrupted their course because of caring responsibilities or illness but those caring responsibilities have ceased or they have recovered from that illness but cannot return to their course until an agreed time in the academic year. These students may claim jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit from the date their caring responsibilities or illness ceased until return to the course; but, to ensure they return as soon as practicable, the claim period is limited to one year. A student who intercalates and has been ill for 196 days also becomes eligible to claim income support during their period of illness thereafter.

Student Support

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many days after withdrawal from their courses students cease to be eligible for educational support through normal channels.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Loans for living costs and grants for higher education students in respect of their dependants are payable in three instalments during each academic year. Students are not eligible for any instalments of living costs support payable during any quarters of the academic year that remain after the quarter during which they withdraw from their course. They may be eligible for an instalment of support during the quarter in which they withdraw, but this is subject to the discretion of the local education authority concerned, taking into account the circumstances leading to the student's withdrawal. Once they have withdrawn they are not eligible to apply to their institution for support from access or hardship funds.
	If students withdraw from their courses before the first three months of the academic year have expired, they will not be eligible for grant support towards the income-assessed contribution they are expected to make towards their tuition fees.

Student Support

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What would be the cost of ensuring that all students should be eligible for either educational or social security support.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: So far as full-time higher education students are concerned, the great majority receive student support. The exceptions are some intercalating students, although a number of intercalating students who suspend their studies are now eligible for social security benefits or for student loans at the discretion of their LEAs. We have no cost figures on the extension of student support to all such students because information on overall numbers of particular categories of intercalating students is not collected by LEAs or centrally. Costs would vary depending on whether extended support was in the form of repayable higher education student loans or non-repayable social security benefits.
	For other categories of students, there would be additional costs in extending social security benefits to full-time further education students but part-time higher and part-time further education students are already eligible to claim them.

Comprehensive Spending Review: Resources for Education

Baroness Sharp of Guildford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For each of the three years covered by the Comprehensive Spending Review (2003–06), how much money has been allocated in England for (a) schools, (b) early years provision in schools and (c) other early years provision.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills will take the decisions on the distribution of the additional resources provided by the spending review between and within the various sectors of education later in the year.

Schools: Software Expenditure

Baroness Buscombe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much money schools currently spend on digital learning resources; and to what extent this figure is likely to change in light of the BBC's digital curriculum proposal; and
	What plans they have to make the N M Rothschild and CEPA reports available; and what the reports say about the likely impact of BBC's digital curriculum proposal on competition in the digital learning resources market;
	Whether they will consider the likely impact on competition in the digital learning resources market when considering the BBC's digital curriculum proposal.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The department does not routinely collect data on total spend on software. However the 2001 ICT in Schools Survey did report that in 1999–2000 schools in England spent an average of £800 per primary school and £5,230 per secondary on software and online content. As part of the Curriculum Online programme we are providing schools in England with £50 million for the year 2002–03 to spend on digital learning resources showcased by a range of commercial providers on the Curriculum Online portal.
	My right honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is considering the BBC's digital curriculum proposal in accordance with her department's published guidelines on proposed new BBC public services. The matters taken into account under the guidelines include the likely impact of the service on commercial services already in the market and on potential future services.
	The main points of the Rothschild report were included in the Curriculum Online consultation paper issued by the department in April 2001. The rest of the report, which reviews the future development and financing of the National Grid for Learning, is commercial in confidence and cannot therefore be made public. The work is Rothschild's intellectual property.
	Research Machines filed a judicial review claim with the Government over the BBC's digital curriculum activities in April 2002. The Rothschild report was made available as part of the litigation brought by RM on litigation disclosure terms for the purposes of that litigation only.
	CEPA's report on the market on digital learning materials draws on discussions and commercially sensitive information provided in confidence by the organisations interviewed. This report was commissioned as an internal document to inform the policy relating to Curriculum Online and its findings were never intended for publication.
	There are no plans for further dissemination of either report.

NVQ Level II

Baroness Sharp of Guildford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will estimate the cost to an individual of obtaining an NVQ level II qualification

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: People who achieve their NVQ level 2 usually do so either through government-supported training, or with the positive support of their employer. Those people who obtain NVQs through the government-supported route are not required to pay for the costs of their training. For employers, there is no requirement to disclose how much they contribute to the costs of supporting individual employees.
	It is not possible to estimate the average cost of an NVQ level 2 because of the wide variation between occupational areas and time taken to achieve the qualification.

Students: Social Security Benefits

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many days after withdrawal from their courses students become eligible for social security benefits other than crisis loans, and
	Whether they accept the objective of the Social Security Housing Committee that all intercalating students should be eligible either for education support or for social security support, and
	Which recommendations of the Report of the Social Security Advisory Committee on the draft Social Security Amendment (Students) Regulations 2000 (Cm 4739) they have now adopted; which they have not adopted; and what would be the cost of adopting those recommendations, and
	Whether they consider that students who are single parents and whose youngest child reaches 16 before the conclusion of their course should remain eligible for social security benefits until the conclusion of their course; and what the likely cost of such eligibility would be, and
	Whether the concept of "last day of course" (as referred to in paragraphs 43-46 of the Report by the Social Security Advisory Committee (Cm 4739)) is one which cannot easily be applied to postgraduate students, and
	Whether they accept the view of the Social Security Advisory Committee (Cm 4739, paragraph 36) that "the Government should recognise the wide variety of circumstances which can give rise to necessary breaks in full-time study, switches to part-time study or examination failure", and
	Whether they accept the view of the Social Security Advisory Committee (Cm 4739, paragraph 48) that those who lose exemption from council tax should thereby acquire liability for council tax benefit; and, if they see any justifiable exemptions from this principle, on what grounds.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: A student becomes eligible to claim an income-related benefit immediately they have abandoned, completed or been dismissed from a full-time course of study. Students studying part-time are not excluded from claiming income-related benefits whilst studying. All students may claim other social security benefits subject to their satisfying the normal conditions of entitlement for the benefit concerned.
	In March 1998 the Social Security Amendment (Students) Regulations 2000 were formally referred to the Social Security Advisory Committee. The regulations amended social security legislation to make clear the policy intention that full-time students are not eligible for income-related benefits (income support, jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit) until they complete, abandon or are dismissed from their course. This is because support for students should come instead from the educational maintenance system, which is designed for their needs. However, in recognition that some students have costs unassociated with their study, certain students, such as disabled students or lone parents, can claim income-related benefits.
	In reporting their views on the proposed 1998 regulations to the Secretary of State, following the referral, the committee made three recommendations. We were unable to accept the recommendations in full and it is not possible to estimate the likely cost of adopting those recommendations we did not accept. However, we did make the following concessions.
	We recognise that there are a number of reasons why a student might interrupt their course of study, but we believe that students have a responsibility to progress as quickly as possible with their studies and for this reason students who interrupt, but do not abandon, a course of full-time study remain ineligible for the income-related benefits and may not have access to student support. In cases of illness however, although there is no mandatory requirement to determine that support is payable where a higher education student is absent after 60 days, the Department for Education and Skills is committed to ensuring that such students continue to receive their support whenever appropriate. Guidance has therefore been issued to educational institutions requesting them to be sympathetic to students in this position and to local education authorities asking them to consider exercising their discretion to extend student support payments.
	In addition, students who have, with the permission of their educational establishment, interrupted their course because of illness or caring responsibilities, and who have recovered from that illness or whose caring responsibilities have ended can claim jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit, or council tax benefit as appropriate. They may claim from the date of recovery from illness or the date their caring duties ceased until such time as they have permission to return to their course. However to ensure that the student returns as soon as practicable the period of such a claim is limited to one year.
	We also agreed not to amend the definition of "last day of the course" as we had proposed in view of the adverse effect it would have had on some post-graduate students. (Command Paper 4739, government response, paragraphs 21-23). Guidance was issued to decision makers to make clear that post-graduate students who have completed their course of study should not be treated as full-time students. These students will therefore be eligible for council tax benefit unless, in the opinion of the decision maker, they are engaged full-time in writing a thesis or doing associated work such as research.
	Students who change from a full-time course to a part-time course and who have had to abandon one to begin the second are able to claim the relevant income-related benefits, as they are no longer full-time students.
	In recognition of the additional costs unassociated with their studies that lone parents who are full-time students may have, they continue to be eligible for income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit. However this eligibility ceases when the youngest child reaches age 16 for income support purposes or when the child reaches age 19 or is no longer in full-time relevant education for housing benefit and council tax benefit.
	At age 16 for income support purposes, the child is no longer treated as dependant to the extent that the parent is required to register for employment and is therefore no longer considered to be a vulnerable group student. It would be unfair on other single students, who also have no dependants, if these students remained eligible for income support.

Stakeholder Pensions

Lord Higgins: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hollis of Heigham on 22 July (WA 21), what £1,000 in a stakeholder pension invested in a "tracker fund" tracking the FTSE 100, the FTSE 250 and the FTSE 350 and an appropriate bond fund respectively, when the scheme was introduced, is now worth.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Schemes operate tracker funds in a variety of ways. The exact current value of money invested in a stakeholder pension will depend on a number of factors, such as the date of the investment and the specific nature of the stakeholder's charging structure. Also, for a given index tracked, fund performance may vary. For these reasons no specific answer can be given.
	Data are available from Trustnet (www.trustnet.com) on the performance of all "tracker funds". In the year to July 2002 performance across UK "tracker funds" ranged from a 10 per cent growth to a 77 per cent fall. Reference can be made to this source for details of individual funds.
	These figures relate specifically to the growth in value of a unit holding over a specified period assuming that distributions (dividends net of the standard rate of tax) are re-invested to purchase additional units of a fund at the closing bid price applicable on the ex-distribution date.
	In general, pension saving is a long-term investment, and it is not therefore helpful to consider fund performance over just one year.

Queen's Jubilee Medal

Baroness Buscombe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on 17 June (HC Deb, 63W) and on 16 April (HC Deb, 836W), why they have decided not to award the Queen's Jubilee Medal to the Yeomen Warders of the Tower of London; and what representations they have received in this respect.

Baroness Blackstone: The medal is being given to serving members of the Armed Forces, the Royal Fleet Auxilliary and the 999 emergency services. Yeomen Warders of the Tower of London are not eligible to receive the Queen's Jubilee Medal as they do not fall within these catergories.
	Five letters have been received from or on behalf of the Yeomen Warders in support of their receiving the medal.

Broadcasting Licences

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the increases in broadcasting capacity delivered by increasing use of digital technology; and what implications they have identified as a result of that increase in capacity for the continuation of the statutory ban on Christian organisations owning broadcasting licences.

Baroness Blackstone: The Government recognise that the capacity for providing broadcast services on all delivery platforms has increased significantly through digital technology. The Government's position is set out in the document The draft Communications Bill—The Policy which states that, where there is sufficient spectrum availability, restrictions on religious bodies holding licences will be removed (paragraph 9.3.3). The growth of digital TV and radio broadcasting has helped reduce spectrum constraints, but limitations do remain. The Government's aim is to ensure that the limited spectrum available is distributed so as to satisfy as many viewers/listeners as possible and to avoid giving one religion an unfair advantage over another so that everyone's beliefs are equally respected. We have decided to lift the present prohibitions on religious ownership of certain television licences (digital programme service, digital additional service and restricted service licences) and in relation to radio, the local digital sound programme service licence, where (as noted in the Communications White Paper) the disqualification in relation to religious bodies is an anomaly in the present legislation.

Broadcasting Licences

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there is spectrum scarcity in the digital environment; and why there is a statutory ban on religious organisations having a range of broadcasting licences.

Baroness Blackstone: The Government recognise that the capacity for providing broadcast services on all delivery platforms has increased significantly through digital technology. The Government's position is set out in the document The draft Communications Bill—The Policy which states that, where there is sufficient spectrum availability, restrictions on religious bodies holding licences will be removed (paragraph 9.3.3). The growth of digital TV and radio broadcasting has helped reduce spectrum constraints, but limitations do remain. The Government's aim is to ensure that the limited spectrum available is distributed so as to satisfy as many viewers/listeners as possible, and to avoid giving one religion an unfair advantage over another so that everyone's beliefs are equally respected. We have decided to lift the present prohibitions on religious ownership of certain television licences (digital programme service, digital additional service and restricted service licences) and in relation to radio, the local digital sound programme service licence, where (as noted in the Communications White Paper) the disqualification in relation to religious bodies is an anomaly in the present legislation.

Broadcasting Licences

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the European Court of Human Rights intends to consider an application about the ban on religious organisations having a range of broadcasting licences; and when a decision could be expected.

Baroness Blackstone: I understand that the European Court of Human Rights has received an application in relation to religious ownership of broadcasting licences. However, it is a matter for the Court as to when or whether it considers an application.

Broadcasting Organisations: Appointment of Members

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consideration they give to membership of religious organisations when considering appointments of (a) members or senior officers of the Radio Authority; (b) members or senior officers of the Independent Television Commission; and (c) Governors and senior officers of the BBC; and whether they have declined to make such an appointment to any of those bodies solely on the basis of the religious affiliations of the candidate.

Baroness Blackstone: All appointments of members of the Radio Authority and the Independent Television Commission, and Governors of the BBC are made in compliance with the guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. This provides that all public appointments should be governed by the overriding principle of selection based on merit: religious affiliation is not a criterion for appointment. The Government are not responsible for appointing executive staff to these bodies.

Museums and Galleries: Abolition of Charges

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which museums and art galleries have abolished charges in the last two years; and what effect the abolition of such charges has had on admission numbers.

Baroness Blackstone: The DCMS-sponsored museums and galleries which abolished charges for admission to their permanent collections on 1 December 2001 (22 November 2001 for the V&A), are set out in the list below. This followed the introduction of free access for children on 1 April 1999 and for people over 60 on 1 April 2000.
	Since April 2000 child visits to ex-charging museums and galleries sponsored by the DCMS have increased by 713,000 (14 per cent). Over the same period, there were an additional 532,000 visits from people over 60, a 23 per cent increase.
	In the seven-month period December 2001 to June 2002 following the introduction of free entry visits to these museums and galleries increased by 2,700,000, a 62 per cent growth on the same period in the previous year. This is a spectacular endorsement of the Government's free access policy.
	In addition, the National Coal Mining Museum for England introduced free admission on 8 April 2002, and the Imperial War Museum of the North in Trafford opened free in July 2002.
	Ex-Chargers
	Imperial War Museum (Lambeth Road)
	V&A (South Kensington, and Theatre Museum, Covent Garden)
	Natural History Museum (South Kensington & Tring)
	National Museum of Science & Industry (South Kensington & National Railway Museum, York)
	Royal Armouries
	National Maritime Museum
	Museum of London
	Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester
	National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside

Museums and Galleries: Abolition of Charges

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What criteria were applied to the museums and art galleries that were permitted to abolish admission charges; and whether it is envisaged that other establishments may abolish charges if they meet these criteria.

Baroness Blackstone: The Government's pledge, first made in the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review, was to ensure universal free access to the national museums and galleries. The VAT refund scheme, announced by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the 2001 Budget was designed in order to help deliver that pledge. Only the national museums and galleries that are free, funded directly by Government, and to which that commitment to free access applied, are eligible for the refund scheme.

BBC: Audit Arrangements

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in the interests of greater transparency, they will institute an annual independent audit of the BBC's expenditure in pursuit of (a) its public service role and (b) any commercial activities.

Baroness Blackstone: The BBC's financial statements are audited annually by independent external auditors, currently KPMG, who assess whether the accounts have been properly prepared in accordance with the provisions of the BBC's Charter and Agreement. Although not mandatory, the BBC also complies with the provisions of the Companies Act 1985.
	Following the licence fee settlement in February 2000, the BBC is required to appoint a separate audit firm for fair trading purposes, currently PricewaterhouseCoopers. This was part of a package on transparency and fair trading measures designed to open up the BBC to more external scrutiny. The independent fair trading and financial audit reports are published in the BBC's Annual Report. The Government have no plans to institute any further transparency measures.

Ancient Monuments

Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which committee now advises the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England on Ancient Monuments under the terms of the National Heritage Act 1983 (Chapter 47, Schedule 3, paragraph 9); and what advice they have received from the Commission on the ongoing destruction of the Scheduled Ancient Monument at Verulamium through continuing deep ploughing and upon the problems which deep ploughing presents for other scheduled ancient monuments in England.

Baroness Blackstone: The committee that advises English Heritage on ancient monuments is the Historic Sites and Landscapes Committee, formerly the Ancient Monuments Advisory Committee.
	English Heritage has advised that there is evidence that ploughing in parts of the Verulamium scheduled monument is causing ongoing damage to the archaeology. It is, however, difficult to delineate the areas in which damage is being caused because of the topography of the site.
	Before a final decision can be made by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the correct way forward she must satisfy herself that all available options have been explored, that the necessary legal procedures have been followed and that any action is underpinned by appropriate evidence. DCMS is identifying those parties with a legal interest in the site so that consultation can take place. We all want to bring matters to as speedy a conclusion as possible—within the relevant legal and procedural constraints.
	The term "deep ploughing" is not one that has an agreed definition and used in the context of this site, it conveys a misleading impression. Ploughing at scheduled monuments is only permitted within the terms of the Ancient Monuments Class Consents Order 1994 which gives consent to the following works (among others):
	"Agricultural, horticultural and forestry works of the same kind as those previously carried out lawfully in the same location and on the same spot within that location within the period of six years immediately preceding the date on which the works commence; but excluding works falling into one or more of the following categories—(a) in the case of ploughed land, any works likely to disturb the soil of any part of that land below the depth at which ploughing of that part has previously been carried out lawfully."
	Of course, ploughing and other means of cultivating the soil are potentially damaging to any ancient monument or archaeological site. The cultivation of previously undisturbed sites may disrupt and make archaeological areas indecipherable and the repeated disturbance of the soil can fragment and abrade artefacts that are contained within it. The deeper the ploughing the more likely it is to destroy previously undisturbed levels even in land that has previously been cultivated. The impact on any one ancient monument is, however, dependent on the land use history and the nature of the site itself.

Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

Lord Blackwell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which organisations have been designated as exempt from the provisions relating to political organisations under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The following 32 political organisations have been specified in orders—The Registered Parties (Non-constituent and Non-affiliated Organisations) Order 2000 and The Registered Parties (Non-constituent and Non-affiliated Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2002—made under Section 26(8)(c) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 as organisations which are not to be taken as constituent or affiliated organisations in relation to political parties and are therefore exempt from the provisions of the Act.
	Association of Conservative Peers
	Association of Loyal Orange Women of Ireland
	Black and Asian Society
	Christian Socialist Movement
	Conservative Animal Welfare Group
	Conservative Christian Fellowship
	Conservative Disability Group
	Conservative Foreign Affairs Forum
	Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council
	Conservative Friends of Israel
	Conservative Lawyers
	Conservative Medical Society
	Conservative National Education Society
	Conservative Transport Group
	Conservatives at Work
	County Grand Lodges of the Loyal Orange Institution of Ireland
	Fabian Society
	Hurst Park Residents Association
	Labour Housing Group
	Labour Irish Group
	National Union of Labour and Socialist Clubs
	Poale Zion
	Socialist Health Association
	Socialist Education Association
	Socialist Environment and Resources Association
	Society of Labour Lawyers
	The Association of Conservative Clubs
	The Conservative Councillors Association
	The Countryside Forum
	The 1992 Committee
	The Society of Conservative Accountants
	The Tory Green Initiative

National Archives

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following the amalgamation of the Historical Manuscripts Commission and the Public Record Office, they will invite the newly-formed National Archives to accept the deposited records of the privatised railway industry.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The Public Record Office (PRO) and the Historical Manuscripts Commission (HMC) will combine to form the National Archives in April 2003. As the HMC's current role does not include the acquisition of records, it is not anticipated that the coming together of the two organisations will impact immediately on the acquisition policy currently operated by the PRO. This policy excludes the records of privatised industries operating outside Government.
	The National Archives will continue the practice of the PRO and the HMC in working closely with the Railway Heritage Committee to ensure that historically significant railway records are safeguarded and deposited with appropriate institutions.

Money Laundering

Lord Hayhoe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of the 31,251 reports of suspected money laundering referred to by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 9 July (HL Deb, col. 558) have been followed by subsequent court prosecutions.

Lord Filkin: The National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) does not hold statistical information relating to the number of prosecutions which may have resulted from these reports of suspicions of money laundering. However, it does monitor whether the financial disclosures it receives and forwards to law enforcement agencies are of value to those agencies. From these 31,251 reports made in 2001, to date NCIS has received feedback in 11,047 cases, and in respect of 9,082 (82 per cent) of these replies from law enforcement agencies have indicated that the reports have assisted their efforts.

Asylum Seekers

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What role, if any, they envisage for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in dealing with asylum seekers who are:
	(a) trying to enter the United Kingdom from the European Union and other countries; or
	(b) already in the United Kingdom and are seeking asylum or resettlement in this country.

Lord Filkin: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has offered this service to the United Kingdom (UK) and French Governments to help find a mutually acceptable solution to the problem of Sangatte. Both governments welcome the offer and are considering their response. No other role within the European Union is under consideration. For countries outside the European Union, under the proposed Rufugee Quota Resettlement scheme the UNHCR will be consulted on the scheme's development and have a role in the selection of potential applicants for the scheme.
	UNHCR is not routinely involved in the process for considering asylum claims although it may intervene in individual cases. It is also consulted as appropriate on certain asylum and country policy issues.

Asylum Seekers

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps are taken to ascertain what assets asylum seekers may possess in other countries including their country of origin; and whether these may be recoverable.

Lord Filkin: Regulation 6 of the Asylum Support Regulations 2000 sets out the assets which the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) must take into account when determining whether an asylum seeker is destitute. Those assets are cash, savings, investments, land, cars or other vehicles, and goods held for the purpose of trade or other business. The assets may be held in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. NASS does not consider the value of personal jewellery, nor does it take account of personal clothing, bedding and optical or medical items when calculating asylum support.
	Asylum seekers applying for support from NASS are required to declare any assets when they apply for asylum support. They are asked to say if their assets are not reasonably available to them and explain why. NASS caseworkers must then exercise their judgment in determining whether assets are reasonably available to the applicant. Where possible, caseworkers are advised to confirm factual matters (such as the existence of currency restrictions) with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) Country Information and Policy Unit (CIPU) or with the relevant embassy or High Commission. In assessing the value of property overseas, caseworkers are advised to give the applicant the benefit of the doubt concerning the location, current market value and description of property unless it is inherently improbable or inconsistent with other information. NASS guidance states that land or property should be disregarded indefinitely if it is impractical and unreasonable to sell it or if it is occupied by relatives who are 60 years of age or older or are disabled.

Asylum Seekers

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What means they are employing to improve the background information and professional training provided for (a) case-workers and (b) interpreters dealing with asylum applicants up to the point of the initial decision.

Lord Filkin: The content of the comprehensive and independent information on asylum seekers' countries of origin provided for asylum decision makers by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate is regularly updated. Recent improvements include plans to establish an advisory panel to help quality assure these country of origin information reports.
	The means employed to improve training and background information for asylum decision makers include:
	requests from the business areas for specific needs;
	information on issues in specific countries, e.g. political groups, cultural issues, geographical information etc. which are pertinent to case-workers;
	continuous evaluation of training through feedback from course delegates and business areas;
	discussions and meetings with relevant organisations, e.g. Woman's National Commission for advice on gender awareness, Social Services and National Police Training for advice on interviewing unaccompanied minors;
	instructions from Policy on Procedural and Legislative changes; and
	regular meetings with officials from business areas on training, mentoring and new requirements.
	In September 2000, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) established a dedicated Central Interpreters Unit (CIU) to deal with all interpreter related policies, training and recruitment issues. Before being admitted to IND's panel all new interpreters must passs an initial assessment and attend a training programme conducted by Language Services Limited, which is a division of the Institute of Linguists.

Asylum Seekers

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of asylum seekers detained and subsequently granted bail attempt to evade the asylum system; and whether they accept the findings of Maintaining Contact by Irene Bruegol and Eva Natanla, South Bank University London Social Science Research Papers No. 16 (June 2002).

Lord Filkin: The requested information on the proportion of asylum seekers that are detained and subsequently granted bail who attempt to evade the asylum system is not available. However, detention is used sparingly and only a small proportion of all those liable to detention under the Immigration Act 1971 are actually detained.
	We welcome the contribution the research conducted by South Bank University makes to the on-going debate about the use of immigration detention powers. We are aware of its conclusions but have not yet had an opportunity to study the whole report.
	We are making improvements in the area of contact management as detailed in the current Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill. The Bill will provide for the creation of accommodation centres for asylum seekers who will be required to report within the centre. Those asylum seekers who are dispersed or who are not in National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation will be required to report to reporting centres or to police stations attended by staff from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. During the induction process all asylum seekers will be advised of their obligations to notify the Home Office of any change of address and of the need to report as required. Provision of support to asylum seekers will be conditional on their reporting as required.

Asylum Seekers

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have published the rules for the operation of asylum seeker induction centres; and, if not, whether they will do so.

Lord Filkin: No operational rules for the running of induction centres have been published. Procedures for doing so are currently being tested at the Dover induction centre where operations include working in partnership with the voluntary sector who deliver briefings to asylum applicants, and a combination of National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and asylum procedures. There are no plans for publishing operational guidelines at present.

Asylum Seekers

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of asylum seekers went through the induction centre process in each of the last three months; and what is their future intention in this regard.

Lord Filkin: I am afraid that the information is not available in the precise form requested. Currently there is one induction centre in Dover. In the future it is intended that all asylum seekers will go through the induction centre process. Further induction centres are planned for London (north and south) and in the regions.
	Data for the last three months are not yet available.

Asylum Seekers

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the announcement that it is now safe to return asylum seekers to Afghanistan applies to all asylum seekers from that country or whether they will consider each case on its merits according to the circumstances of each individual including such factors as their treatment and experiences before they left Afghanistan, their place of origin within Afghanistan and their ethnicity.

Lord Filkin: Applications for asylum from people from Afghanistan will continue to be considered on their individual merits in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention. In cases where asylum has been refused, asylum caseworkers will consider—on a case by case basis—whether in the individual circumstances of a particular case it is appropriate to grant exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom. Full account will be taken of the particular circumstances of the individual concerned and the country situation. If the circumstances of an individual case justify it, exceptional leave to remain will be granted. In cases where asylum has been refused and exceptional leave has not been granted, appropriate enforcement action will be taken.

Asylum Seekers

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that two weeks provides sufficient time between an asylum seeker completing the induction process and attending his or her substantive interview for competent legal advice to be sought and any necessary supporting documents obtained from the asylum seeker's country of origin or elsewhere; and whether an allowance is made for circumstances where documents have been sought but have not yet arrived.

Lord Filkin: The induction process includes the booking of the applicant's substantive asylum interview. This interview is booked for no less than 10 working days from the applicant's departure from the induction centre. This timing is in line with current practice for asylum seekers who do not yet go through the induction process. In addition, the induction process provides briefing for asylum applicants detailing the asylum process, their rights and responsibilities.
	The briefing makes it clear that an asylum seeker may seek legal representation but that this is not deemed necessary prior to attendance at a substantive interview, and an interview will not be delayed because of a lack of representation. This is consistent with the Government's view that it is not necessary for an asylum seeker to obtain legal representation prior to a substantive asylum interview.
	Regarding documentation it is incumbent on an asylum seeker to provide additional documentation to support his claim at the earliest opportunity. If documents are not available at the time of interview they could be produced to support any appeal the asylum seeker may lodge.

Passport Technology Trials

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will outline their policy on physical inspection of passports of all those arriving in the United Kingdom, indicating at which points of entry equipment for the electronic recording of machine readable passports is already in operation.

Lord Filkin: The published Immigration Rules, as approved by Parliament, require any person arriving in the United Kingom, or seeking entry through the Channel Tunnel, to produce a valid passport or other document satisfactorily establishing his/her nationality and identity. Passengers arriving in the United Kingdom who are subject to immigration control must seek leave to enter from an immigration officer in order to establish whether they meet the requirements of those Immigration Rules. Personal details, including passport number, will be checked against the Immigration Service's warnings index.
	Immigration ports of entry to the United Kingdom currently have no ability to record electronically machine readable passports, but the majority do have computerised warnings index equipment to read these passports.
	The Immigration Service is currently testing several devices and their output relating to the technology needed to record data from machine-readable passports. A short and limited experiment was conducted at Dover during May 2002 for the purpose of trialling a particular piece of equipment in a working control environment. The data from the trial is still being evaluated.

Channel Tunnel: Illegal Entrants

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will give, for each month from January 2000 to date, the number of illegal immigrants who are known to have arrived via the Channel Tunnel.

Lord Filkin: It is not possible to establish precisely how many illegal entrants have reached the United Kingdom after travelling through the Channel Tunnel on freight trains. Some are detected inland and cannot be attributed to a particular port of entry and some claim to use the Channel Tunnel but have in fact entered by a different route.
	Provisional management information for 2000 shows that 100 illegal entrants arrived at Cheriton platform having travelled on board open-sided freight shuttles through the Channel Tunnel.
	In 2001 and the first quarter of 2002, locally collected, provisional management information indicates the following monthly arrivals:
	
		
			 Cheriton Platform Arrivals Number 
			 Jan 2001 195 
			 Feb 2001 411 
			 Mar 2001 515 
			 Apr 2001 553 
			 May 2001 565 
			 June 2001 745 
			 Jul 2001 808 
			 Aug 2001 726 
			 Sep 2001 465 
			 Oct 2001 133 
			 Nov 2001 40 
			 Dec 2001 36 
			 Jan 2002 100 
			 Feb 2002 61 
			 Mar 2002 31 
		
	
	In 2000, 1,312 illegal entrants arrived at Dollands Moor rail freight yard having arrived on freight trains through the Channel Tunnel.
	In 2001 and the first quarter of 2002 provisional management information indicates the following numbers of illegal entrants who were detected having arrived in the United Kingdom at Dollands Moor:
	
		
			 Dollands Moor Arrivals Number 
			 Jan 2001 189 
			 Feb 2001 139 
			 Mar 2001 151 
			 Apr 2001 40 
			 May 2001 121 
			 June 2001 92 
			 Jul 2001 68 
			 Aug 2001 69 
			 Sep 2001 35 
			 Oct 2001 274 
			 Nov 2001 289 
			 Dec 2001 96 
			 Jan 2002 57 
			 Feb 2002 288 
			 Mar 2002 109

Afghan Asylum Seekers: Voluntary Return Assistance

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements have been put in place for the funding of the Assisted Voluntary Returns—Afghanistan scheme.

Lord Filkin: A package of assistance is being introduced for a trial six month period to assist reintegration of those Afghans who return home voluntarily. It will be offered to those who have, on 14 August 2002, asylum claims awaiting decision or appeal, or who have received exceptional leave to remain. Payments of £600 for individuals and up to £2,500 for families, to be paid after departure, reflect an equitable payment to make return to Afghanistan sustainable.
	Parliamentary approval to this new service will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the Home Office RFR1 (H). Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £1,685,000 will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

British Overseas Citizen Passport Holders Applications for Settlement

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Filkin on 18 July (WA 172), whether the British Asian passport holders seeking to enter and settle in the United Kingdom are worse off now than they were under the Special Voucher Scheme; and, if so, what is the justification for this; and
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Filkin on 18 July (WA 172), whether in giving "sympathetic consideration" to applications made by British overseas citizens prior to coming into force of the provisions in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill, they will ensure that British Asian passport holders previously eligible under the Special Voucher Scheme will not receive any less favourable treatment than that they would have received prior the scheme's abolition on 5 March; and
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Filkin on 18 July (WA 172), why they decided to abolish the Special Voucher Scheme with immediate effect on 5 March, having regard to their intention to introduce the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill.

Lord Filkin: British Overseas Citizen (BOC) passport holders were only eligible to apply for a special voucher if they lived in East Africa or had an East African connection, where they were under pressure to leave their country and held no other nationality. The scheme was abolished in March because it no longer served the purpose for which it was set up and, since that time, BOCs wishing to settle in the United Kingdom have had to qualify under the general provisions of the Immigration Rules. Sympathetic consideration will be given to applications from BOCs in special cases of hardship but each case will be determined on its own merit.
	At the time the scheme was abolished there was no intention of introducing a more general right of settlement for BOCs. However, following representations about the position of BOCs with no other nationality, the Government announced its intention to include some provision in the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill. Under these provisions, all BOCs who hold no other nationality and have not renounced any other nationality will have the right to register as British citizens.

Citizenship: Proposed Oath and Pledge

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the duties and obligations as a British citizen referred to in the proposed citizenship pledge in Schedule 5 to the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill.

Lord Filkin: The pledge component of the proposed citizenship oath and pledge is intended to symbolise a new British citizen's commitment to the core values of the United Kingdom.
	An independent group of experts is being convened to advise the Home Secretary on the content of a citizenship curriculum for naturalisation applicants. The group will no doubt wish to consider, amongst other matters, what the curriculum should include on the question of the rights and responsibilities associated with citizenship.

Crack Cocaine

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether crack cocaine is now included in Sections 8 and 9 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, in accordance with Section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.

Lord Filkin: Section 8(a) and (b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 which covers the production or attempted production, supply and attempted supply of controlled drugs to another on premises applies to all controlled drugs including crack cocaine. Last year, the Government introduced an amendment to Section 8(d) of the 1971 Act through Section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. The amendment extended the scope of Section 8(d), which covered the use of cannabis and opium, to cover the use of all controlled drugs including crack cocaine on premises in order to strengthen police powers to deal with the proliferation of crack houses.
	It was also recognised that the strengthening of Section 8(d) could impinge on the legitimate harm reduction activities of those working in the care sector. The Government therefore undertook that, before the amendment was implemented, Notes of Guidance outlining how it should be enforced must be published. Work is currently being undertaken to publish the Notes of Guidance and implement Section 8(d).
	Section 9 of the 1971 Act applies to opium only.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Treatment

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What appraisal they had from National Institute for Clinical Excellence of the clinical effectiveness of Visudyne in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD); to how many AMD patients it is recommended that treatment should now become available and on what terms; and what action they are taking.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence's (NICE) appraisal of photodynamic therapy has been extended to allow further consideration of the draft guidance. It is likely that the guidance will not now be available before January 2003.
	Guidance issued in August 1999 to all National Health Service bodies asked them to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where there was no guidance from NICE at the time. These arrangements should involve an assessment of all the relevant factors including the available evidence on effect.

Abortion

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What rights parents with moral and ethical objections to abortion will have to ensure that their children are not given the abortion pill RU 486 to procure a medical abortion.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: It is highly desirable that a young woman facing an unplanned pregnancy will feel able to discuss this with her parents.
	The legal framework for young people under 16 to consent to treatment, including abortion, was set out in the House of Lords ruling in 1985 in the case of Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech Health Authority and the Department of Health and Social Security.
	A Young person under 16 can consent to treatment without parental involvement providing the health professional is satisfied that they are competent to understand fully the implications of any treatment and to make a choice of the treatment proposed. In relation to contraception services the health professional must establish that all of the following criteria are met: that the young person understands the health professional's advice; the health professional cannot persuade the young person to inform his or her parents or allow the doctor to inform the parents that he or she is seeking contraceptive advice; the young person is very likely to begin or continue having intercourse with or without contraceptive treatment; unless he or she receives contraceptive advice or treatment, the young person's physical or mental health or both are likely to suffer; and the young person's best interests require the health professional to give contraceptive advice, treatment or both without parental consent.
	The principles set out above specifically refer to contraception but also apply to other treatments including abortion.
	In practice, a young person consenting to abortion without parental involvement is unusual and would happen only in exceptional circumstances. In such a situation every effort would be made to help the young person involve another adult for support.

Abortion

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many abortions were carried out in each of the last 10 years using the abortion drug RU 486 in:
	(a) England; (b) Wales; (c) Scotland; and (d) Northern Ireland; and
	What are their proposed target levels in 2002–03 for use of the abortion drug RU 486.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The number of abortions carried out in the last 10 years using the abortion drug RU 486 for residents of England and Wales are shown in the table:
	
		
			 Year England Wales England & Wales 
			 1991 1,022 42 1,064 
			 1992 1,502 63 1,565 
			 1993 3,719 224 3,943 
			 1994 5,324 376 5,700 
			 1995 6,983 685 7,668 
			 1996 8,782 933 9,715 
			 1997 10,345 956 11,301 
			 1998 12,849 1,064 13,913 
			 1999 14,735 1,284 16,019 
			 2000 17,647 1,844 19,491 
		
	
	Source: Statistics Division—Department of Health
	Statistics for abortions performed in Scotland are a matter for the devolved administration. The Abortion Act does not apply to Northern Ireland.
	The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' evidence-based guideline The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion (2000) recommends that women should be offered a choice of recommended methods for relevant gestation bands. It is expected that as medical abortion becomes more widely available more women will choose this method. No targets have been set for the use of medical abortion.

Adulterated Frozen Chicken

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking in response to reports of frozen chicken adulterated with beef protein powder being imported from the Netherlands.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The problem of mislabelling, under-declaring added water, and not disclosing hydrolysed chicken and pork proteins in frozen chicken breast was first reported by the Food Standards Agency in December 2001. The agency informed local authorities, the European Commission, the Dutch and Belgian authorities, as well as the Irish Food Safety Authority, who carried out a similar study. The Irish study published in May 2002 revealed similar results, but in addition found some samples containing undisclosed beef protein in chicken imported from the Netherlands.
	The agency obtained a commitment from the Dutch authorities to put inspection of the poultry plants involved on their priority list. This action has been further reinforced by the European Commission, who in June threatened infraction proceedings against the Dutch government if the problem of mislabelling is not resolved. The United Kingdom study was carried out in close co-operation with local authority enforcement staff, and one UK wholesaler has been prosecuted as a result.

Young People: Contraception

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the morning-after pill is to be issued free of charge by pharmacies and school nurses to teenagers in Exeter, including those under 16, without parental consent or knowledge; and, if so, whether this practice is lawful.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: A small number of school nurses have been trained to issue emergency contraception to pupils as one part of the wider support they provide within school based drop in clinics. The governing bodies of the individual schools concerned have taken this decision, after consultation with parents. All parents have received information about the service.
	A pilot project is currently being developed to train pharmacists to provide emergency contraception under National Health Service arrangements. This is part of a wider scheme to improve access to emergency contraception by older women. The project is due to start in late autumn.
	Emergency contraception is only provided to young people under 16 under medical supervision. This includes the supply by other health professionals, such as school nurses and community pharmacists, working to Patient Group Directions. A Patient Group Direction is a written instruction for the supply or administration of medicines to groups of patients without an individualised doctor's prescription.
	Health professionals can provide contraception to young people under 16 provided they are satisfied that the young person is competent to understand fully the implications of any treatment and to make a choice of the treatment involved. Health professionals work within an established legal framework which involves assessing the young person's competence to understand the choices they are making and encouraging them to talk to their parents. All professionals are bound by their professional code of confidentiality. A young person's request for confidentiality is respected unless there are serious child protection issues.
	These services aimed at improving early access to emergency contraception should be seen in the context of a much wider programme of work in the Exeter teenage pregnancy strategy. This includes helping young people to resist pressure to have early sex through improved sex and relationship education and involving parents and the wider community.

Chiropodists and Podiatrists

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will list National Health Service health authorities in rank order according to the number of full time equivalent chiropodists/podiatrists per thousand of the population; and
	How many full-time equivalent chiropodists/podiatrists there are per thousand of the population in the National Health Service in England compared to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The information on health authorities in England employing chiropodists/podiatrists in rank order has been placed in the Library.
	The number of chiropodists and podiatrists working in the National Health Service is increasing. The NHS Plan states that by 2004 there will be an extra 6,500 therapists over the 1999 baseline, chiropodists/podiatrists are included in this target. Since 1999 the number of chiropodists employed in the NHS in England has risen by 190 (6 per cent) and the number of places available for students to train as chiropodists has increased by 40 (12 per cent).
	The comparison between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is in the table.
	
		NHS Hospital and Community Health Services: Qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff employed in the chiropody area of work per 1,000 population in the United Kingdom as at 30 September 2001
		
			 whole-time equivalents 
			 England 0.06 
			 Scotland(6) 0.13 
			 Wales 0.07 
			 Northern Ireland 0.09 
		
	
	Notes:
	Figures are rounded to two decimal places
	(6)Population estimates are based on estimates from the General Registrar for Scotland at mid-June each year. A 2001 population estimate is not available yet therefore the 2000 estimate has been used instead.
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census
	NHS Staff Census—National Assembly for Wales
	National Manpower Statistics from Payroll, ISD Scotland
	Northern Ireland Human Resources Information System
	Office for National Statistics

Foot Surgery

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to reduce waiting times for foot surgery by using the underused services of podiatric surgeons in this country, rather than recruiting orthopaedic surgeons from abroad.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Changing Workforce Programme pilot based in Salford is focusing on developing new and extended roles for members of the allied health professions. They are currently testing the role of consultant in foot health which includes surgical podiatry. The pilot's initial outcomes are proving to be positive in terms of reducing waiting times of orthopaedic consultants. In due course we will undertake an analysis of the pilot's results to consider the potential for wider use in the National Health Service.

Multiple Sclerosis

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How satisfied they are about the levels of co-operation between National Health Service hospitals and local authority social services departments when dealing with the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have put in place a range of measures to encourage the National Health Service and local authorities to work together more effectively so that patients and people in need of care get the high quality and co-ordination of service they need. These include using existing Health Act flexibilities covering over 100 schemes and involving over £1 billion of resource. Primary care trusts are also providing a unique opportunity to foster closer working between the NHS and local government, particularly social services.
	As the next stage in this evolution, the NHS Plan announced a new kind of organisation, called care trusts. The first four care trust became operational in April 2002. They will enable the even closer integration of health and social care services and will build on existing joint working.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that a potential conflict of interest arises so long as the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is responsible for both the awarding of licences to clinics and the generation of income for itself by charging fees to IVF clinics holding licences.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: It is Government policy that services should bear the cost of regulation and that charges should be set at a level to recover the full cost. We do not believe that the charging of fees to licensed clinics by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority causes a conflict of interest for them, since the fees generated should only cover the actual costs of the work involved.

National Health Service

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assumptions they have made for activity levels, the levels of inflation specific to the National Health Service and efficiency changes for each of the years 2002–03 to 2007–08(HL5527)
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The following assessments were made for the National Helath Service between 2002–03 and 2007–08:
	Activity growth was broadly based on historic trends, plus the expected increase required to meet the access targets:
	Inflation is broadly based on historic trends; and
	An estimate of the potential efficiency gains, which culminated in the new Public Service Agreement target:
	"Value for money in the NHS and personal social services will improve by at least 2% per annum, with annual improvements of 1% in both cost efficiency and service effectiveness."

Health Authorities: Efficiency and Value for Money

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In numerical terms what level of efficiency and value for money gains, expressed as a percentage of Health Authority unified allocations, were made in each of the years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Allocations to health authorities are based on an overall assessment of the resources required to cover inflationary pressures and deliver national targets. Allocations to health authorities in 1999–2000 and 2000–01 were made net of 3 per cent efficiency savings, and in 2001–02 allocations were made net of 2 per cent efficiency savings. This means that health authorities needed to achieve the efficiency target to fully fund delivery of national targets and inflation.

Obesity

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the estimated cost to the National Health Service over the next five years as a result of overweight and obesity.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: This information is not available. However, the National Audit Office report Tackling Obesity in England (NAO) published in 2001, estimated the direct cost to the National Health Service of overweight and obesity in 1998 to be £500 million, or 1.5 per cent of the total NHS expenditure. The NAO report also estimated the indirect cost of obesity to be around £2 billion. Combining the estimates of direct and indirect costs, the total estimated cost of obesity in 1998 was £2.6 billion. Based on present trends, the report calculated that the combined annual costs would increase to £3.6 billion by 2010.

Obesity

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much government funding has been allocated for research and development into issues related to overweight and obesity in the next five years.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government have funded and continue to fund a wide range of research and development relating to diet, nutrition, obesity and other related research such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. It is not possible to predict what the future level of government expenditure will be as new proposals are regularly being considered and commissioned.

Obesity

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What initiatives are being developed to raise the awareness of overweight and obesity and their related morbidities.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There are a range of programmes on promoting healthy eating and physical activity, and reducing overweight and obesity which are being developed as part of the National Service Framework for coronary heart disease. These programmes also contribute to reducing the risk of obesity related conditions and diseases such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
	The department is also developing a Five-a-Day Programme which includes local Five-a-Day community initiatives, based in deprived areas, which provide education about the health benefits of fruit and vegetables, as well as improved access and availability. To increase awareness of the importance of diet and exercise among children, we have a Healthy Schools Programme that aims to promote better health for all children and young people through education on a range of issues.
	There are also a range of organisations and charities such as the British Dietetic Association, the Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust and Weight Concern who are raising awareness about the problem of obesity and are supported through the department's Section 64 grant scheme.

Obesity

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consideration they have given to supporting the proposals in the Action Plan on Obesity recently produced by the Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health supports the Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust through the provision of the Section 64 grant scheme. Under the scheme the Department of Health has to manage the grant, and this involves discussions about its work programme, including the Action Plan. The Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust provides valuable support and advice to obese people and its Action Plan complements the department's work to tackle this problem.

Obesity

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have considered a National Service Framework for Overweight and Obesity; and
	What standards and milestones have been set for the reduction of overweight and obesity, other than those within the National Service Framework for coronary heart disease.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government are not considering a National Service Framework for overweight and obesity. There are no specific standards and milestones for the reductions in the level of overweight and obesity. However, action to address obesity is being taken forward through the national service frameworks for coronary heart disease and older people. To meet standard one of the National Service Framework for Diabetes will also require action to reduce obesity.

NHS Healthcare Workers: HIV Testing

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were (a) the terms of reference, (b) composition and (c) consultees of the expert group set up by Ministers in August 2001 to consider requiring or offering HIV testing for all new National Health Service healthcare workers.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The terms of reference of the ad hoc expert group set up by Ministers last year were:
	To carry out an assessment of the potential health risk posed to patients from healthcare workers new to the NHS infected with serious communicable diseases, in particular HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and tuberculosis. This assessment is to include a relative risk assessment, which will take account of the following factors: prevalence of such infections, country by country, as an indication of likelihood of infection in those (of any immigration or refugee status) applying for posts in the NHS; prevalence of such infections in UK citizens generally and in high-risk groups; evidence of the risk of transmission of such infections from different groups of health care workers to patients; the effectiveness of measures already in place in this country to detect and manage infected healthcare workers.
	To report back on the policy options that will minimise the potential health risk posed to patients.
	The expert group, chaired by a Department of Health official, comprised:
	Ms Isabel Boyer (Lay Representative)
	Dr Barry Evans (CDSC-PHLS)
	Dr Kit Harling (Bristol Royal Infirmary)
	Dr Jeremy Hawker (CDSC-PHLS)
	Dr Rachel Heathcock (Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Health Authority)
	Professor Will Irving (Nottingham University Medical School)
	Mr James Johnson (Joint Consultants Committee)
	Professor Newell Johnson (Guy's, King's and St Thomas' Dental School)
	Mrs Diana Kloss (University of Manchester)
	Ms Dee May (Royal College of Nursing)
	Dr Philip Mortimer (CPHL-PHLS)
	Dr Alison Rimmer (Sheffield Occupational Health Service)
	Dr William Rosenberg (Southampton University Medical School)
	Professor Peter Rubin (Nottingham University Medical School)
	Mrs Rosaline Steele (Royal College of Midwives)
	Dr John Watson (CDSC-PHLS).
	The expert group did not undertake a formal consultation but included representatives from the healthcare and legal professions as well as expertise in epidemiology, occupational health, public health and virology. It is intended that there will be consultation on the draft operational guidance before it is issued to the NHS.

Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the strength of the arguments of the German government in relation to the conformity of the Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship Bill with the Technical Standards Directive and whether significant amendments will need to be made to the Bill.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The German Government have delivered a detailed opinion on the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill under the procedure in Article 9(2) of Directive 98/34/EC as amended (the Technical Standards Directive). The Government are currently considering this opinion.

National Health Service: Overseas Providers

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 23 July (WA 63), what principles will be used to determine which National Health Service bodies will enter into contracts with non-United Kingdom organisations to carry out operations on National Health Service patients in England; and how the nature of the contracts could affect those principles.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health is developing a number of approaches to using overseas providers to treat National Health Service patients in England. Different contractual arrangements are likely to be appropriate in different cases. In deciding which National Health Service bodies should enter into these contracts we will take account of who is best placed to commission and manage the services in a way which secures high clinical standards for patients and good value for money.

NHS: Treatment of Overseas Visitors

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In what circumstances a visitor to the United Kingdom who is HIV positive is entitled to remain in the United Kingdom and receive, under the National Health Service, free treatment for the condition; and whether there is any time limit to how long such a person is allowed to remain; and
	Whether they take steps to prevent or discourage those who do not hold United Kingdom passports from coming to Britain for treatment for HIV or AIDS.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The National Health Service is first and foremost for people who are ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. The services provided are free except in specified circumstances. Where a person is not ordinarily resident in the UK the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, as amended, require NHS trusts to establish if the person is liable to be charged under those regulations for any NHS treatment they receive and if so to recover such charges. Visitors to the UK are allowed to remain for a maximum of six months and are unlikely to be regarded as ordinarily resident for the purposes of these regulations but may fall under one of the exemptions from charges specified in the regulations.
	The regulations provide that certain services are without charge in any circumstances. This includes an initial diagnostic test and any associated counselling for HIV/AIDS. If a person is liable for charges under the regulations then any treatment needed for HIV/AIDS other than the test and counselling will be subject to charges.
	Entitlement to free treatment under the National Health Service is primarily based on residence not nationality and the type of passport held is therefore only relevant in relation to certain specified exemptions relating to member states and countries with which there are reciprocal healthcare agreements. The Department of Health has, with the help of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, arranged for publicity material explaining the charging regulations to be placed in British embassies and other diplomatic offices abroad to help bring them to the attention of people applying for admission to the UK.
	A copy of the charging regulations has been placed in the Library.

NHS: Suspension of Consultants

Lord Chan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many hospital consultants have been suspended for six months or more in the North West of England in the years, 2000, 2001 and 2002 so far; in what specialities the suspended doctors have been working; and what were the ethnic groups, according to the 2001 national census, of the suspended doctors.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The following table shows the number of consultants suspended for six months or more, by speciality. We do not collect this information by ethnic group.
	
		
			 Year Speciality Number 
			 2000 Obstetrics & Gynaecology 2 
			  General Surgeon 3 
			  Paediatric Anaesthetist 1 
			  Total 6 
			 2001 Ophthalmologist 1 
			  Trauma & Orthopaedics 1 
			  General Surgeon 2 
			  Community Paediatrician 1 
			  Total 5 
			 2002 Obstetrics & Gynaecology 1 
			  Total 1

NHS: Suspension of Consultants

Lord Chan: asked Her Majesty's Government: What has been the outcome of hospital consultants suspended in 2000–02 for six months or more; and who in the National Health Service strategic health authorities monitors the suspension of hospital consultants.[HL5681]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health collects information on hospital medical staff and community dentists suspended for more than six months. Of the suspensions reported to be resolved, for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 March 2002, the main categories were dismissal, resignation, retirement or reinstatement.
	Responsibility for monitoring suspension of hospital and community medical and dental staff remains with the department via the regional directors of public health.

National Service Framework for Mental Health

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the National Service Framework for Mental Health does not include physiotherapy as a core service, despite the evidence of benefit from specialist physiotherapy to outcomes in mental health patients and its designation as a core service in the National Service Framework for Older People.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The NSF for mental health emphasises the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to care and treatment. However, it is not prescriptive about the numbers of different professionals needed. Instead, it emphasises the outcomes to be achieved, and the importance of evidence based practice. We know that people with severe mental illness may be at particular risk of physical ill health and Standard One (mental health promotion) the MHNSF states that "Exercise, relaxation and stress management have a beneficial effect on mental health.'' The mental health Policy Implementation Guide (2001) also indicates that the evidence base supports the encouragement of regular exercise on a population-wide basis in the context of mental health promotion.

Mental Health

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there is increasing use of evidence-based specialist physiotherapy in the management of patients with mental health problems.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health has made no assessment of trends or developments in the use of evidence-based specialist physiotherapy in the management of patients with mental health problems. However, standard one of the mental health National Service Framwork emphasises the benefits of a exercise, relaxation and stress management, and the Mental Health Policy Implementation Guide (2001) indicates that the evidence base supports the encouragement of regular exercise on a population-wide basis in the context of mental health promotion.

Blood and Blood Components: Safety

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the Hepatitis C liability case A & others v. National Blood Authority & others, Burton J, 26th March 2001:
	(a) whether they have full confidence in the safety of transfusion plasma that is currently being provided by the National Blood Service; and whether they will provide reassurance that as per Council of Europe guidelines all patients requiring transfusion plasma in the National Health Service will receive only virus inactivated products; and
	(b) whether they will submit all blood and blood derivative products available in the United Kingdom to the Medicines Control Agency for licensing to ensure patient safety; whether legislative changes are needed to allow this, and whether they intend to make these changes; and
	Given that fresh frozen plasma and methylene blue-treated fresh frozen plasma supplied by the National Blood Service are exempted from licensing by the Medicines Act and therefore also from control and regulation by the Medicines Control Agency, whether they will apply the obligatory safety monitoring and other patient safeguards, which are standard for licensed pharmaceutical products, to fresh frozen plasma and methylene blue-treated fresh frozen plasma.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The safety of blood and blood components used in the National Health Service is of paramount importance. Every reasonable step has therefore been taken to minimise any risk associated with fresh frozen plasma. However, it is not possible to guarantee that blood and blood components are 100 per cent safe.
	We do not believe that the continued use of non-virally inactivated fresh frozen plasma is contrary to Council of Europe guidelines. Indeed, a number of other countries in Europe continue to provide this product to their patients.
	There are no plans to submit blood and blood components to the Medicines Control Agency for licensing. We do not believe that doing so would confer any additional public health benefit. The Medicines Control Agency already ensures that the UK Blood Services meet European Good Manufacturing Practice standards. In addition, the new European Blood Directive will, when adopted, require the accreditation of all blood establishments to ensure common standards of safety and quality in blood and blood components across all Member States.
	Serious adverse reactions and events associated with fresh frozen plasma, and all other blood components, are already monitored by the Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) enquiry. SHOT is a voluntary scheme. However, 92 per cent of hospitals in the United Kingdom already participate in SHOT and recent guidance to the National Health Service on the appropriate use of blood asks all hospitals to do so. SHOT publishes an annual report, and a copy of the most recent (for 2000–01) has been placed in the Library.

Blood and Blood Components: Safety

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the fact that many other governments in Europe have either banned or removed fresh frozen plasma and methylene blue-treated plasma from their markets, whether they believe that all transfusion plasma products available in England and Wales should be evaluated by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE); and
	Given that the licence for methylene blue-treated fresh frozen plasma was not renewed by the Paul Ehrlich Institute in Germany due to safety concerns, and that it has also been banned or removed from the market in a number of other European countries, why methylene blue-treated fresh frozen plasma is advocated for use in children and others by the National Blood Service.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have no plans to refer the use of transfusion plasma to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence for evaluation. This issue falls within the remit of the United Kingdom expert advisory committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues for Transplantation (MSBT). MSBT seeks specialist advice where necessary or includes the relevant specialists among its members.
	The methylene blue photoinactivation system for fresh frozen plasma is a registered medical device under the Medical Devices Directive and has a European safety (CE) marking. Methylene blue has been administered in medical practice since 1900, and in much larger doses (many thousand-fold) than the National Blood Service (NBS) will be using. The NBS will be removing more than 90 per cent of the methylene blue before the fresh frozen plasma is issued to National Health Service hospitals.

National Blood Authority

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much financial support they have provided to the National Blood Authority over the past three years; and whether they will ensure that the full consolidated accounts of the National Blood Authority are published in the future.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government have provided central funding to the National Blood Authority (NBA) as follows:
	
		
			  Revenue (£ million) Capital (£ million) 
			 1999–2000 17,127 18,715 
			 2000–2001 17,257 11,500 
			 2001–2002 46,550 16,149 
		
	
	The published annual reports of the NBA contain financial statements in summary form. Each report states that a full set of accounts can be provided by NBA on request.
	A full set of NBA Accounts for 2000–01 will be placed in the Library.

Medical Research

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who allocates government expenditure on different forms of medical research; and on what basis it was decided that the present annual expenditure of taxpayers' money into research on HIV/AIDS should be £21 million and that into prostate cancer £2 million.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives its grant-in-aid from the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology. The MRC's funding decisions are set largely by scientific considerations, that is the quality of the scientific opportunity and the likelihood of significant development. But health needs are also important in terms of, for example, the burden of disease and the potential for health gain.
	The MRC does not, as a rule, earmark funds for particular topics. Research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. When appropriate, high-quality research in the areas the MRC is promoting may be given priority, but research excellence and importance to health will continue to be the primary considerations in funding decisions.
	The same considerations are used by other government providers of support for medical research, which include the other research councils and the devolved administrations as well as the Department of Health. The Department is committed to increasing its expenditure on directly commissioned research into prostate cancer to £4.2 million a year by 2003–04. In addition, an unquantifiable proportion of government expenditure on cancer research is spent on research that is relevant to many types of cancer, including prostate.

Food Standards Agency

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Irish Food Standards Agency's prion testing facilities are more advanced than those available to the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We are not aware that the facilities available for prion testing in the Republic of Ireland are more advanced than those available in the United Kingdom.

Broadmoor

Lord Hunt of Wirral: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the new security directions at Broadmoor have had an adverse effect on the attempts of the staff to inculcate pro-social attitudes in the patients.
	What is their response to the view of the manager of the Mental Health Act Commission team that the new security directions at Broadmoor are omnipresent and demoralise both staff and patients.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Government policy with regard to the provision of high security psychiatric services is to secure the safety of the public, staff and patients, and to ensure that the best possible services are offered to patients who need to receive their care and treatment in a high security setting. The three high security hospitals must achieve an appropriate balance between therapy and security.
	The safety and security directions were originally introduced as a result of the findings of the committee of inquiry into the Personality Disorder Unit, Ashworth Special Hospital (Fallon inquiry) that reported in 1999. They were amended in the light of recommendations arising from the review of security at the high security hospitals that was published in 2000. The directions were designed to address significant security shortcomings and inconsistencies identified across the three high security hospitals and to assist in providing a safer environment for patients and staff that should enhance, rather than provide a barrier to, the therapeutic activities of the hospitals.
	Following the Fallon inquiry, an additional £6.3 million was made available to increase staffing in the three hospitals. At Broadmoor Hospital this has allowed an additional 100 full-time equivalent nurses to be recruited and sufficient occupational therapists to achieve input to each clinical team. This has enhanced the range of therapeutic interventions available for patients.

Specialist Children's Services in the North West

Lord Chan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements have been made to commission specialist services in children's hospitals in the North West of England, and when the commissioning scheme will be published.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Recent guidance following Shifting the Balance of Power indicates that the lead commissioning of specialist services is the collective responsibility of all primary care trusts (PCTs). PCTs are expected to collaborate with neighbouring PCTs to commission services and work as part of consortia.
	Within the North West there are three PCT led specialist commissioning teams, one covering each of the three strategic health authority areas. Specialist children's services are included in the work of these teams.
	Resources and plans for these services are included in the service and financial framework process, which begins when the planning and priorities guidance is issued in the autumn.

Mental Health Patients: Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the availability of specialist physiotherapy and occupational therapy services to mental health patients is monitored through strategic health authorities.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Strategic Health Authorities are responsible for performance managing Primary Care Trusts and National Health Service trusts in their area. Decisions about exact configurations of services are a local matter, in the context of national guidance. PCTs are responsible for commissioning services for their populations, and they are accountable to their StHA for discharging this function effectively. In our previous reply to the noble Baroness on 28 August (HL5685) we also emphasised the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to mental healthcare and treatment. We know that people with severe mental illness may be at particular risk of physical ill health and standard one (mental health promotion) the National Service Framework for Mental Health states that "Exercise, relaxation and stress management have a beneficial effect on mental health." The NHS Plan sets out targets for increasing the overall number of allied health professionals.

Epilepsy-related Death

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Home office is being consulted on the action plan to address the finding of the national audit of epilepsy-related death that only 13 per cent of port-mortem investigations were adequate; and
	What plans they have to implement an action plan to address epilepsy-related death; and
	What plans are in place to ensure that Primary Care Trusts will act following the National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommendation in its summary report of the national audit of epilepsy-related death that local National Health Service clinicians and organisations should establish or review policies of practices regarding the management of epilepsy.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Following publication of the National Sentinel Audit of Epilepsy-Related Death in May we are now considering in full the recommendations of the audit including the issues raised by my noble friend. We expect to develop an action plan later this year to address the key issues, and will consult with interested parties as appropriate. It will need to take account of and feed into a range of other initiatives, including the National Service Framework for Long Term Conditions (NSF), which will have a focus on neurological conditions such as epilepsy.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) published a summary report of the audit. The publication draws the attention of local NHS clinicians and organisations to the need to establish or review policies and practices regarding the management of epilepsy related deaths.
	The department is also undertaking a range of other initiatives to improve services for the care and management of people with epilepsy, including asking NICE to develop a clinical guideline (due in summer 2004) for the diagnosis, management and treatment of epilepsy to help address widespread variations in clinical practice and contribute to the improvement of services.

Parliamentary Ombudsman

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are aware of any other country whose constitutional system is based upon the Westminster model where (i) the public are denied direct access to the parliamentary ombudsman; and (ii) the findings and decisions of the parliamentary ombudsman are not binding upon the Government; and, if so, whether they will publish details; and
	How the annual case load of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration compares with the annual case load of similar ombudsmen elsewhere in Europe and the Commonwealth.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: I have written to the noble Lord offering him a factual background briefing from the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration on the workings of different models of overseas ombudsmen.

Parliamentary Ombudsman

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will introduce legislation to give the public direct access to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and to require the Government to give effect to the Parliamentary Commissioner's findings and recommendations.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: As my previous Answers have made clear, the Government intend to replace the existing arrangements for public sector ombudsmen with a unified and flexible ombudsman body to which the public have direct access. The legislation required to implement the new arrangements will be made as soon as parliamentary time allows. The precise nature of the powers which such legislation will afford the new body remains under consideration.

Parliamentary Ombudsman

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In how many cases since the creation of the office of Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration in 1965, and for what reasons, his findings of maladministration and his recommendations have been rejected or not followed by the relevant Government departments.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: No central record is maintained of cases where a department has refused to accept the findings or recommendations of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. However, the ombudsman resports on some cases in his annual report and, on occasion, issues special reports.

Commissioner for Public Appointments Annual Report

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they will take in response to the conclusions of the seventh report of the Office of the Public Appointments Commissioner, published on 17 July.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The Government will, as always, consider carefully the conclusions of the Annual Report from the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Regulatory Impact Assessments

Lord Razzall: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide full details of the procedure undertaken by the Cabinet Office in auditing the regulatory impact assessments received from each Government department on a monthly basis including (a) what criteria impact assessments are measured against; and (b) whether impact assessments have been referred back to their original departments for further consideration.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: A list of regulatory impact assessments produced by departments, as reported monthly to the Cabinet Office, is published in a six-monthly command paper. (There is no formal audit of regulatory impact assessments.)
	The Cabinet Office Regulatory Impact Unit works closely with departmental regulatory impact units and departmental officials to help departments to prepare robust regulatory impact assessments assessing the impact of proposals that are likely to have an effect on business, charities and the voluntary sector. The Cabinet Office also issues guidance to departments on producing regulatory impact assessments. This guidance forms the basis of the criteria that the Regulatory Impact Unit uses to scrutinise regulatory impact assessments.

Iraq

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, if they enter into any commitment for military action against Iraq, they will recall Parliament and make a full Statement on the grounds for their policy in time for the views of both Houses to be taken before the action has begun.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: As the Prime Minister has made clear no decisions have been taken to commit British forces. If decisions are taken, we will of course consider the best way to consult the House in the normal way.

Public Bodies: Appointment of Women

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What further governmental, or other action, will be needed to ensure the achievement of the Government's 2005 target that 45-50 per cent of those appointed or reappointed to public bodies should be women; and
	In light of the 7th Report from the Commissioner for Public Appointments, showing that only 39 per cent of those appointed or reappointed to public bodies in 2001–02 were women, and the fact that the numbers have remained at approximately the same level for the last five years, whether the Government still regard the 45-50 per cent target by 2005 as realistic and achievable; and
	What their target, if any, is for the percentage of women who will chair public bodies by 2005; and
	What is their target, if any, for the percentage of women who will be chief executives of public bodies by 2005.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Responsibility for making public appointments lies with individual Ministers supported by their departments. Each department set out its targets for increasing diversity in public appointments in Public Bodies: Opening up Public Appointments 2002–05, which was published on 14 February. If the targets set out in those plans are met, this will mean that, by the end of 2005 and for the majority of departments, women should hold 45–50 per cent of the appointments to the bodies they sponsor. The Government still believe that this will be the case and continue to be totally committed to permanent change in public appointments by substantially increasing diversity at all levels of appointment, including those at chair and deputy chair. The Cabinet Office will be doing all it can within its resources to help departments meet their targets while upholding the principles of selection on merit. There is at present no target for the number of women who will be chairs or chief executives of public bodies by 2005. In many cases responsibility for the appointment of chief executives lies with the boards of public bodies and not Ministers.

Ragwort on Verges of A14 and A11

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they plan to take to remove the ragwort growing along the verges of the A14 and A11 trunk roads; and whether the uprooting of this noxious plant would be a suitable job for those who have been sentenced to community service.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the noble Lord.
	Letter from the Operations Director of the Highways Agency, David York, dated 1 August 2002.
	Tim Matthews has been asked by Lord Macdonald to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the removal of ragwort growing along the verges of the A14 and A11 trunk roads and whether it is a suitable job for those who have been sentenced to Community Service. I am replying since Tim is currently away on leave.
	The Highways Agency takes the issue of ragwort on highway land very seriously and undertakes major annual programmes of eradication by spraying and hand weeding.
	The Agency makes considerable efforts to identify affected sites and to then treat them on a priority basis. All known ragwort sites on the A14 and A11 will be treated in due course and the next such works will take place on the A11 in the Newmarket area within the next two weeks.
	The removal of ragwort is a labour intensive task. However, working close to fast moving traffic has significant safety implications and the Agency would only wish to use suitably qualified staff in these situations.

Bio Fuels

Lord Palmer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	By what percentage greenhouse gases are reduced when (a) biodiesel is substituted for fossil diesel, (b) bioethanol is substituted for petrol; and (c) bioethanol is substituted for liquid petroleum gas (LPG).

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The Government are keen to establish the environmental benefits of alternative fuels and have commissioned detailed research into the carbon and energy balances of different fuels including petrol, LPG and biofuels.
	The draft report of a study commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) from Sheffield Hallam University on the environmental benefits of biodiesel suggests that a 53 per cent saving in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions is possible from biodiesel produced from rape seed when compared with conventional ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD). This supports the Government's decision to introduce a 20p per litre incentive for biodiesel, which came into effect on 26 July. The Sheffield Hallam report can be viewed at http://www.shu.ac.uk/rru/reports.html
	Research published in 1996 by the Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU) found that the lifecycle greenhouse gas balance for ethanol was apporoximately 50 per cent lower than that for petrol and about 42 per cent lower than Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). With an aim to updating these figures, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has commissioned an up-to-date study from Sheffield Hallam to look at the latest evidence on the environmental benefits of biofuels, including ethanol. This study is due to report by the end of the year.

Bio Fuels

Lord Palmer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the fuel duty on bioethanol in pence per litre; and what, converted to pence per litre, is the fuel duty on liquid petroleum gas (LPG).

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Bioethanol currently attracts duty as a substitute fuel for petrol at a rate of 45.82p per litre. The Government are also considering bids for the second round of the Green Fuels Challenge (GFC) which closed on 31 July. The GFC offers a zero rate of duty to demonstration projects for green fuels, including ethanol, which offer to develop expertise and knowledge in this area.
	Liquid petroleum gas attracts duty at a rate of 9p per kilogramme. This translates to a rate of around 6p per litre when the gas is in liquefied form.

Tourist Signs

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What criteria are applied by the Highways Agency for the provision of brown tourist signage for motorways.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The current guidance on the criteria for the provision of tourist signs (traffic signs with white legend on a brown background) applied by the Highways Agency is given in three publications:
	(a) Department of Transport Circular Roads 3/95. Traffic Signs to Tourist Attractions and Facilities in England, published on 12 December 1995;
	(b) Highways Agency Supplementary Guidance to CR 3/95. Traffic Signs to Tourist Attractions and Facilities in England: Criteria for Signs on Trunk Roads and Motorways, published on 12 December 1995; and
	(c) Tourist Traffic Signs inside the M25. Guidance issued by the Government Offices for the Eastern Region, London and the South East and the Highways Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, published on 3 February 1997. This guidance applies to tourist destinations located inside the M25/A282 orbital route;
	Copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	These define a tourist attraction and give guidance on a variety of considerations such as the distance of the tourist attraction from the proposed sign, the number of visitors and the available parking facilities etc. that have to be taken into account. In most cases local circumstances will influence the decision taken. Public consultation on a review of the current guidance has been undertaken and the responses are being considered.

Tourist Signs

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which tourist attractions are the subject of signage from motorways.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Information giving a full list of tourist attractions, which are the subject of signage from motorways, is not currently held centrally.

Pathfinder Projects

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which are the nine areas that they have identified for the pathfinder projects in areas of market collapse of the local housing market; how many dwellings each of these areas contains; and whether they will give their estimate of how many of those dwellings are (a) unfit and (b) subject to market collapse.

Lord Rooker: The proposed intervention areas of the nine pathfinder projects have not yet been confirmed but are being discussed with the local authorities concerned. It is not therefore possible to provide statistical data relating to stock condition. However, we are able to provide the approximate total number of properties, not all of which will be in low demand, in each pathfinder area, which is shown in the table (numbers are subject to change as the intervention area boundaries are yet to be agreed).
	
		
			 Pathfinder Local authorities Initial estimate of dwellings within provisional boundary 
			 1. Greater Manchester Manchester and Salford 120,000 
			 2. Merseyside Liverpool, Sefton and  Wirral 120,000 
			 3. East Lancashire Blackburn, Hyndburn,  Burnley and Pendle 70,000 
			 4. Humberside Hull and East Riding of  Yorkshire 110,000 
			 5. North Staffordshire Stoke-on-Trent and  Newcastle-under-Lyme 50,000 
			 6. Tyneside Newcastle upon Tyne and  Gateshead 70,000 
			 7. Oldham/Rochdale Oldham and Rochdale 80,000 
			 8. South Yorkshire Sheffield, Rotherham,  Barnsley and Doncaster 130,000 
			 9. West Midlands Birmingham and Sandwell 50,000 
			  Total 800,000 approx

Pathfinder Projects

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much money has so far been announced for the pathfinder projects in areas of housing market collapse; how much has been allocated to each area; and for what purposes; and
	Whether they have carried out an assessment of the financial requirements of the nine pathfinder projects in areas of housing market collapse; if so, what are those requirements; and what proportion of them they expect to be able to provide over the next five years.

Lord Rooker: We announced on 16 May that we were making available £25 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund to assist low demand pathfinder projects in vital preparatory work, in equal shares of £2.66 million (£1 million will be retained centrally for collective monitoring and evaluation). The principal preparatory work to be undertaken is the development of a market-restructuring scheme underpinned by relevant research.
	My right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 18 July that, following the spending review, resources would be made available to enable the pathfinder projects to take forward their market restructuring schemes—comprehensive, holistic plans for the transformation of their areas. The amount of resources will be announced later in the year.

Pathfinder Projects

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For which pathfinder project areas they have announced detailed boundaries, and when they expect to announce them for each of the remaining areas.

Lord Rooker: The proposed intervention area boundaries of the nine pathfinder projects have not yet been confirmed. Once confirmed, disclosure will be the responsibility of the pathfinder projects.

Pathfinder Projects

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the policies in the pathfinder project areas for dealing with housing which is unfit or subject to housing market collapse will be on a one policy fits all basis or whether there will be the flexibility to respond to different local circumstances or the different wishes of local residents, both for and within each pathfinder area.

Lord Rooker: Pathfinder projects' aim is to provide long-lasting solutions for communities blighted by derelict homes through investment and innovation. They will do this by developing a strategic approach—encapsulated in a comprehensive, holistic market restructuring scheme—for regenerating their sub-regional housing markets that will bring together key stakeholders, including residents, inform future investment, and test out new and innovative approaches to combating low demand. Pathfinder projects therefore have the flexibility, and the opportunity, to determine the solutions that are right for their area.

Pendle Inquiry

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will announce their decision on the public inquiry that was held in January into the Borough of Pendle No 101 (Nelson (West) No 1) Compulsory Purchase Order 2000, in the Borough of Pendle (Nelson (West) No 1A-C) Clearance Area 2000.

Lord Rooker: The First Secretary of State is looking at the case and will announce a decision as soon as possible.

EU Membership

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the statement by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 22 July (HL Deb, col. 3) that "Three million jobs in this country are linked to exports to the European Union and the best calculation is that the benefit to our gross domestic product is £1.75 billion", whether any of those jobs and of that benefit would be lost if the United Kingdom were to replace membership of the European Union with a free trade agreement with the Single Market.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: If Britain were not a member of the EU one option would be to seek to negotiate entry to the European Economic Area, which gives access to the Single Market and would be of benefit to British trade and jobs. It is not possible to calculate what the impact of such a withdrawal or renegotiation would be overall on British trade and jobs.
	What is clear is that we would not have a say in shaping the laws, regulations and directives that make the EU's Single Market work but we would still be bound by them.
	We would therefore be less able to design them in ways that would benefit Britain and provide jobs in Britain.

Kosovo

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 22 July (WA 15), what are the international and domestic legal remedies available for victims of breaches of international human rights standards committed in Kosovo by (a) the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and (b) the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR).

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The United Nations Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has enacted regulations in order to bring specific procedures (for example, concerning arrest and detention, and surveillance and evidence gathering) in line with human rights standards, providing grounds for raising human rights arguments before the courts. Any person alleging a breach of human rights standards in Kosovo may take up the matter with the relevant authorities or seek legal advice in Kosovo with regard to available remedies.

Kaliningrad

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the negotiations being held with Russia over the future of the Kaliningrad region after the accession of Lithuania and Poland to the European Union, what estimate they have of the annual number of journeys made by Russian citizens travelling between Kaliningrad and the rest of the Russian Federation via Lithuania and Poland.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Because of the lack of clarity of the statistics on journeys (e.g. whether they are one way, whether they are transit etc), it is very difficult to give a precise figure for the total annual number of journeys between Kaliningrad and Russia. Our best estimate is 10,000 via Poland and 1,500,000 via Lithuania.

Kaliningrad

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the level of financial contributor and other assistance made by the European Union to Lithuania to contribute to the resolution of problems arising from the anomalous status of the Kaliningrad region of the Russion Federation.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The European Commission delegation spent some 3 million euro in Lithuania on funding cross-border projects in 1999–2001. Further Kaliningrad-related funding is likely to be available to assist in visa and passport issuing and in improving border controls. The EC has contributed some 40 million euro to Russia for Kaliningrad through the TACIS programme.

Chechnya

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many (a) United Nations, (b) Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, (c) NATO and (d) European Union observers are currently based in Chechnya.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: To the best of our knowledge, the United Nations has no expatriate personnel based in Chechnya, but it does have an office in the neighbouring republic of Ingushetia from which it sends personnel on short visits. Neither NATO nor the EU has any personnel based in Chechnya. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe has a six-person assistance group, but only three to four are deployed in Chechnya at any one time.

British Studies Centre, Bamberg

Lord Ezra: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What support or participation they are prepared to offer to the British Studies Centre set up by Bamberg University in Bavaria, bearing in mind the recent closure of branch offices of the British Council in Germany.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government are unable to provide the British Studies Centre in Bamberg with any financial assistance, but officials from the British Consulate General in Munich have already been in contact with the centre and have offered a number of publications free of charge. Although British Council regional offices have closed in Germany, there still remains an office in Berlin. In Bavaria the British Council has recently appointed an Infopoint Centre Manager to promote UK educational and cultural products and services. I encourage the British Studies Centre and the Infopoint manager to work closely together.

Russian Federation: Tacis Scheme

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What aid has been given to the Russian Federation by the European Union since 1991 under the Tacis scheme in respect of the environment, and in particular in connection with nuclear installations.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Tacis programme has provided a range of environmental support in the Russian Federation, including in the harmonisation of environmental standards, institutional strengthening and capacity building for improved environmental management at central and local level, and in the raising of public awareness. The Tacis programme committed more than E774 million over the period 1991–2000 to improve nuclear safety in countries of the CIS, particularly the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The Tacis regulation covering the period 2000–06 concentrates Tacis activity on six areas of co-operation, including environmental protection, the rural economy, and nuclear safety.

Russian Federation: Tacis Scheme

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What aid has been given to the Russian Federation by the European Union since 1991 under the Tacis scheme in respect of human resources, and in particular in connection with education.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Institutional, legal and administrative reform is a priority area for Tacis co-operation. European Union support for higher education is given through the Tempus programme. The Russian Federation joined the Tempus programme in 1993. Between 1993 and 1999 a total of 296 programmes were sponsored, with a programme budget for the period of E69 million. Tempus support to the Russian Federation focuses on the social sciences and humanities, as well as on management and business, with a special focus on university management.

Russian Federation: Tacis Scheme

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the European Union or its member states run any programmes to train legal personnel in Russia; and, if so, what are those programmes.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: From 1991 to 2001 the EU's Tacis programme committed E280 million in support for institutional, legal and administrative reform in Russia, which included training of legal personnel. The current, indicative Tacis programme for Russia includes a specific allocation of E20 million for support of judicial reform.
	The UK's Department for International Development is preparing a second phase of its existing judicial support project, which will take the UK's commitment to judicial training in Russia to nearly £4 million. The World Bank, the Council of Europe and other EU member states are also active in this area.

Isla Perejil

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What implications the recent dispute between Spain and Morocco over the Isla Perejil off the Moroccan coast has for Anglo-Spanish discussions on the sovereignty of Gibraltar.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: None.

EU Membership: Benefits

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the reply by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 22 July (HL Deb, col. 3), how they calculate the figure of £1.75 billion as being the benefit to the United Kingdom gross domestic product derived from membership of the European Union; and what percentage that represents of the United Kingdom's total gross domestic product.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: £1.75 billion is the expected boost to UK GDP on the accession to the EU of the seven largest applicant countries. This figure was calculated by a team from the European Round Table of Industrialists and the Centre for Economic Policy Reform in 2000. A copy of the report is in the Library of the House.
	This figure would represent 0.177 per cent of UK GDP (2001 figure).

Sellafield

Lord Campbell-Savours: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action British Nuclear Fuels Limited is taking in respect of Pond B30 at Sellafield.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Management of the B30 facility is an operational matter for BNFL, subject to regulation by the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (HSE's NII). BNFL is taking forward a range of work programmes at B30. These are aimed at improving the way the building itself is cared for as well as characterising the contents of the building and retrieving these and converting them into a more stable form. HSE is monitoring BNFL's progress in taking forward these work programmes at B30 aimed at reducing hazards associated with the plant.

Sellafield

Lord Campbell-Savours: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the safety of Pond B30 at Sellafield, particularly with respect to the natural environment.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: B30 is one example of the legacy plant described in Cm 5552 Managing the Nuclear Legacy as presenting particular problems because of its age and operational history. The White Paper's proposed establishment of the liabilities management authority is aimed at ensuring that the challenge of legacy management can be met effectively for all plants whose decommissioning it will be contracting for.
	As described in its reports to the Sellafield Local Community Liaison Committee (LCLC), HSE's NII is pressing BNFL to establish an early decommissioning programme. Following an inspection of B30 in June 2001, NII served an improvement notice requiring BNFL to prepare a decommissioning plan which is required by April 2003.
	In addition, NII issued a legal instrument in August 2000 to require 90 per cent of the radioactive sludges accumulated in B30 to be recovered by 2010. Following discussions with NII and the Environment agency about airborne contamination arising from the open pond, BNFL is instigating direct monitoring and considering reasonably practicable measures to reduce airborne releases.
	Further detailed information is included in NII's routine reports to the Sellafield LCLC which are available on HSE's website.

Mineworkers' Vibration White Finger

Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in respect of mineworkers' vibration white finger (VWF), a substantial number of claims are being denied at a later stage, even though such claims had previously been accepted; and whether they will instruct their claims handlers to honour the original decisions.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: In respect of mineworker's vibration white finger, a small number of claims were accepted, only to be denied at a later stage.
	In the light of the substantial number of claims which have been registered so far—146,209 as of 30 June 2002—by IRISC, the department's claims handlers, there have been a small minority of claimants who had their exposure to vibratory tools accepted and were medically assessed but subsequently had their exposure revised. The claims were therefore denied.

Four-hundredth Anniversay of Union: Possible Stamp Issue

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the postal authorities propose to celebrate the four-hundredth anniversary of the joining of the crowns of Scotland and England in 2003.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: It has been the practice of successive governments that decisions relating to the day-to-day running of Consignia and its units, including the Royal Mail and its stamp programme, are the responsibility of Consignia's management. As the noble Lord's Question relates to a matter for the company, I have asked Consignia's chief executive to reply direct.

Ofgem: Revised Rules and the Marine Industry

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House (a) a copy of their draft guidance to marine operators and the leisure marine industry on the maximum resale price provisions of the Utilities Act 2000; and (b) a list of those in the marine industry, including operators, landlords and tenants, consulted in the preparation of the guidance.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is currently preparing guidance for both landlords and tenants, including those in the marine industry, on the implementation of the revised rules, which take effect on 1 January 2003. The guidance will include examples of price calculations and will be expanded and updated as necessary. A printed copy of the guidance will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses, together with a list of those individuals and organisations (including those from within the marine industry) who responded to Ofgem's consultations.

Russian Federation: Patent Rights

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures have been taken by (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the European Union and (c) European Union member states to enforce patents or to encourage patent protection in the Russian Federation.(HL5631)
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Both the UK and its European partners are conscious of the importance to industry of encouraging the Russian Federation to bring its patent and other intellectual property rights (IPR) legislation into compliance with international standards and have been working actively towards that end.
	The UK has participated in IPR seminars in Russia, offering advice and training material produced by the UK Patent Office and encouraging ratification of international IPR treaties. Representatives of ROSPATENT, the Russian Patent Office, have also made study visits to the UK Patent Office.
	The European Patent Organisation, of which the UK is a founder member, has provided ROSPATENT with access to its world-class patent search and technical literature database. Expert tuition in the set-up and use of the database has also been provided. This is of significant benefit to both Russia and European industry to assist in the determination of the validity of patent rights granted in the Russian Federation. Technical cooperation and assistance with ROSPATENT has also facilitated the electronic scanning of patent documents.
	Within the framework of the EU-Russia Sub-Committee on Justice and Home Affairs, both parties have signed the partnership and co-operative agreement. Detailed negotiations highlighted the areas where Russian patent and other intellectual property rights are inadequate and have led to a common action plan on IPR. Assistance is provided on the preparation of new legislation which will be compliant with international norms, such as the WTO TRIPS Agreement. Technical assistance funds have also been provided. As a result of negotiations, enforcement procedures will be within the new intellectual property legislation. This will lead to more effective enforcement procedures. Russia has already introduced amendments to strengthen sanctions imposed in respect of trademark violations. Improved enforcement provisions for other areas of intellectual property rights, including patents, will follow.
	Spain has provided technical assistance in the form of documentation relating to trademarks and brands, industrial design and patents. Germany has hosted a study visit from the Russian Federation to gain an insight into the structure and practices of the German Patent Office. Advice and information were supplied on e-commerce, patent fees and training of staff. A separate visit by judges from the Supreme Commercial Court of the Russian Federation visited the Federal Patent Court in Munich, the German Patent and Trademark Office and the Patent Lawyer's Association to exchange experiences within the field of protection of industrial property. Germany also has an agreement with the Russian Federation regarding the exchange of literature and patent search and examination results.

Russian Federation: Nuclear Safety

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment they have made of the likelihood of the occurrence of another nuclear incident similar to that of Chernobyl, either in the Russian Federation or in one of the Soviet-built reactors in the former states of the Soviet Union.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government maintain a close interest in the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear power plants, both as a signatory to the IAEA Nuclear Safety Convention and through their membership of the G7 Nuclear Safety Working Group.
	The Chernobyl nuclear power plant incident occurred as a result of the operation of the plant in an unauthorised and hazardous manner. Since that time all Soviet-designed, first generation reactors have been subject to substantial safety upgrades for which the UK has provided funding either bilaterally or through multilateral programmes.
	In general most later generation Soviet-designed nuclear power plants now approach or meet western standards of safety. However, concern still remains over the continued operation of Chernobyl type RBMK reactors and first generation pressurised water reactors of Soviet design, which cannot be fully upgraded.
	Although the chance of a repeat of a Chernobyl type incident is considered remote, the Government, with G7 partners and the EU, continue to press Russia for the earliest possible closure and decommissioning of their first generation reactors. Closure of such plants is also being made a condition for the EU accession of Lithuania, Bulgaria and Slovakia. The EU is leading negotiations with Armenia, with a view to the closure of their one nuclear power plant. All nuclear power plants of concern within the Ukraine are now closed, with the final reactor on the Chernobyl site being taken out of service in December 2000.

EU Member States: Energy Resources

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the European Union has any fixed rules regarding the degree of dependence, in percentage terms, of any European Union member state on energy resources from any one source; and, if so, how this will affect the candidature for membership of the European Union of those countries which are heavily dependent on Russia for their energy supplies.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The European Union does not have rules regarding the degree of dependence, whether in percentage or any other terms, of any EU member state on energy resources from a single country source. From this it follows that candidate countries for EU membership will not be restricted in the extent to which they import their energy supplies from Russia or from any other producer country. However, under a policy administered by the Euratom Supply Agency, the EU's nuclear utilities are expected to contract with Russia for no more than some 20 per cent of their natural uranium and enrichment requirements. The aim is to ensure a diversification of sources of supply so that the EU does not become over-dependent on any single source of supply.
	Nevertheless, under Euratom treaty provisions, agreements or contracts for the supply of nuclear fuel to candidate countries in existence at the time of accession will not be prevented from being implemented provided that they are communicated to the European Commission. The European Commission has made known its intention to submit a Communication to the Council incorporating a mandate for negotiating an agreement with Russia on trade in nuclear materials. We understand that one of the factors under consideration will be the position of the candidate countries as a number of them are believed to be fixed to uranium supply contracts with Russia that exceed the EU's existing limits.

Marina Operators: Resale of Electricity, Gas and Water

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals they have to bring marine craft into line with current regulations, or with regulations due to come into force, in connection with the maximum resale price of electricity, gas and water by marina operators; and
	What proposals they have to require marina operators to disclose how they intend to calculate the charges to consumers for electricity, gas and water; and
	What regulations they intend to enforce on marina operators on the specification of metering equipment purchased and supplied for use by consumers of electricity, gas and water supplies; and
	What regular inspection is made by whom to ensure that marina operators do not exceed the maximum resale prices for electricity, gas and water under the provisions of the Utilities Act 2000.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Issues regarding water are for my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who will provide a separate answer.
	Regulations on the resale of gas and electricity are matters for the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). In January this year Ofgem introduced revised maximum resale price rules for the resale of gas and electricity, to take effect from 1 January 2003. The changes were implemented after extensive consultation. The new arrangements provide important protection to those being resold gas and electricity, in that the resale has to be made at the same price as that paid to the supplier. These rules provide protection for users in a variety of different types of accommodation, including domestic tenants and those using holiday apartments, caravans and chalets. If the occupants of boats, including houseboats, are using electricity and gas for similar purposes in these other forms of accommodation, they will enjoy the same protection. In order to demonstrate compliance with the rules, resellers including marina operators will be required, on request, to explain to their customers how their charges have been calculated. The new arrangements do not contain specific requirements on the metering arrangements which resellers can use. Ofgem has no powers to inspect compliance with the maximum resale price rules nor to enforce them. If a customer believes that they have been overcharged, and the issue cannot be resolved by negotiation, recovery of the overcharge may be pursued through the civil courts. The courts may require the resellers to provide information regarding the calculation of their charges.

Single Equality Body and Human Rights

Lord Ashley of Stoke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the terms of reference of the Single Equality Commission Project can be extended to include any machinery required to enforce respect for human rights.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My honourable friend the Minister of State at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced the start of the project to consider the feasibility of, and options for, a single equality body in Great Britain earlier this year. The terms of reference of the project explicitly state that it will consider the relationships with human rights issues. I refer my noble friend to the reply the Lord Privy Seal gave to the noble Baroness, Lady Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, on 14 May 2002. (WA 38)
	The Joint Committee on Human Rights is currently considering the case for a human rights commission and clearly our thinking will be informed by its conclusions.

Single Equality Body and Human Rights

Lord Ashley of Stoke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the terms of reference of the single equality commission project can be extended to include any machinery required to enforce respect for human rights.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: My honourable friend the Minister of State at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced the start of the project to consider the feasibility of, and options for, a single equality body in Great Britain earlier this year. The terms of reference of the project explicitly state that it will consider the relationships with human rights issues. I refer my noble friend to the reply the Lord Privy Seal gave to the noble Baroness, Lady Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, on 14 May 2002 (WA 38).
	The Joint Committee on Human Rights is currently considering the case for a human rights commission and clearly our thinking will be informed by its conclusions.

Disability Rights Commission: Funding

Lord Ashley of Stoke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will ensure that the Disability Rights Commission continues to receive the same level of funding irrespective of any decisions made about a single equality commission.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government see arguments in favour of a single equality body but do not yet have firm views on whether this is the right approach, what such a body might look like and its powers and functions. It is therefore too early to comment on the funding for disability or other equality strands.

Defra: Spending

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' departmental report 2002, why capital spending, both in terms of actual outturn and planned outturn for 2002–03 and 2003–04 is in every case more than £1 million above the departmental expenditure limit; and
	Further to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' departmental report 2002, why consumption of resources by executive agencies is estimated for 2001–02 and planned for 2002–03 and 2003–04 to be almost double that of 2000–01 although the number of agencies has remained constant.

Lord Whitty: Tables 5.1 to 5.5 in the departmental report for 2002 contain a number of errors. These arose from differences in the way information is loaded on central data bases, complications with compiling historical information following the recent Machinery of Government changes, and the re-structuring of Defra with revised objectives that followed. Unfortunately, the tight timetable for producing these tables interfered with the quality assurance procedures that would normally have applied.
	The department's quality assurance procedures are being revised to prevent similar errors in future. Meanwhile, work is in hand to re-issue corrected tables. This is a significant task involving the re-loading of central data bases which are subject to a number of timetable constraints. The intention is to provide revised figures by the autumn.

CAP Reform

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What implications they understand President Chirac's statement "vous pouvez compter sur moi pour veiller a ce que ni l'une [regional policy] ni l'autre [CAP] ne soient denature e ou de mantele e", contained in his speech made in Strasbourg on 6 March, to have for the reform of the common agricultural policy; and
	Whether it is their understanding that the French government will seek to block reform of the common agriculture policy as it is presently proposed.

Lord Whitty: The Commission's proposals for the mid-term review of the common agricultural policy were only published on 10 July. Negotiations on these proposals have started but it is too early to predict what final package will emerge or what attitude individual member states might take towards them. Decisions in the Agriculture Council are taken by qualified majority voting.

CAP Reform

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Given that reform of the common agricultural policy is a United Kingdom policy priority according to the HM Treasury document 2002 Spending Review: Public Service Agreements 2003–06 (Cm 5571), what action they intend to take towards other European Union member states who seek to block CAP reform.

Lord Whitty: During negotiations on reform of the CAP this autumn the Government will continue to argue that the current CAP is unsustainable and that we must take this opportunity for significant reform. We will be discussing reform of the CAP with all other member states.

CAP Reform

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Given that reform of the common agricultural policy is a United Kingdom policy priority according to the HM Treasury document 2002 Spending Review: Public Service Agreements 2003–06 (Cm 5571), what timetable they have set for securing its reform.

Lord Whitty: We are still at an early stage of complex negotiations and the precise timetable is unclear. It is likely that agreement to a reform package will be reached during the first half of 2003.

Bio Fuels

Lord Palmer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How often in 2002 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials, having commissioned research work from academic institutions on biofuels or biomass, asked that drafts be reworked because the original did not suit the departmental position.

Lord Whitty: On no occasion. The department plans and manages independent research through its Science Directorate to inform the development of policy. All bioenergy research is published and the clarity of presentation is the only factor considered.

North/South Ministerial Council

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, when they signed the Belfast Agreement of 10 April 1998 (Cm 4705) and the implementation bodies agreement of 8 March 1999 (Cm 4706) with the Republic of Ireland, they intended that the North/South Ministerial Council should be referred to bilingually, in English and Irish.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Belfast Agreement and the agreement on the North/South Ministerial Council are silent on this question. The style adopted by the Council is a matter of agreement by its participants.

Irish Nationality

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 20 June (WA 104) concerning Irish nationals, whether they agree with the view of the Irish Government that the citizens of Northern Ireland are Irish.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: As I said in my previous Answer to the noble Lord (9 May 2002), Irish nationality is essentially a matter for the Government of Ireland. But Her Majesty's Government, as well as the Irish Government, subscribe fully to the passage of the Belfast Agreement recognising the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British or both; and as the agreement confirms, their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship is accepted by the Government.

Northern Ireland Government: Sinn Fein Membership

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that it is appropriate for members of Sinn Fein to hold posts in the Government of Northern Ireland when the IRA has been collecting information and targeting people in Northern Ireland.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer the noble Lord to the statement I made to the House on 24 July 2002.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Migrant Workers Convention

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has asked them to ratify the Council of Europe's Convention on Migrant Workers; and what response, if any, they have given to the commission.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Brice Dickson, wrote to the Secretary of State on 13 and 19 June 2002 concerning the ratification of international treaties, including the Council of Europe's Convention on Migrant Workers.
	As was announced in Parliament in April 2002, the Government are reviewing their position on international human rights instruments. The Lord Chancellor's Department is taking the lead on this review. The review body has already met twice in 2002.
	It is too early to comment on whether these instruments will be accepted in the form which has been suggested by the Human Rights Commission. However, full consideration will be given to each instrument and the views expressed on each.

Northern Ireland Prisons: Drugs

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On how many occasions drugs have been found in HM prisons in Northern Ireland during each year since 1995.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Information on drugs finds in prisons in Northern Ireland have been recorded in different ways since 1997. Since September 2000, the information has been collated centrally and this continues to be the case.
	Available information is as follows:
	
		Northern Ireland Prison Service Drug Finds 1997–98
		
			 Drug Type Weight/Quantity of Substance 
			 Cannabis 1,176 grammes of resin 
			 Ecstasy 121 tabs 
			 Other tablets (inc medication not prescribed) 981 tablets 
			 Other 1 square LSD, 2 bottles anabolic steroids. 
		
	
	For the period 1997–98 drugs finds were recorded in respect of quantity of substance found instead of occasions.
	
		NIPS Drug Finds April 1998–August 2000
		
			   
			 April 1998–March 1999 (inclusive) 195 
			 April 1999–March 2000 (inclusive) 182 
			 April 2000–August 2000 (inclusive) 64 
		
	
	
		NIPS Drug Finds since September 2000–May 2002
		
			   
			 September 2000–November 2000 (inclusive) 45 
			 December 2000–February 2001 (inclusive) 51 
			 March 2001–May 2001 (inclusive) 82 
			 June 2001–August 2001 (inclusive) 84 
			 Total finds for 12 month period 262 
			 September 2001–November 2001 97 
			 December 2001–February 2002 66 
			 March 2002–May 2002 73 
			 Total finds for last 9 months 236 
		
	
	These figures report the number of drugs finds, not the amount of drugs found.

Maze Prison Site

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have for the disposal of the former Maze Prison in Northern Ireland.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Since the announcement by Her Majesty's Government of the gifting to the Northern Ireland Assembly of the Maze Prison site, the Prison Service has been putting in place arrangements to allow for the release of the site.
	The timing of the release will be determined by operational factors, including the availability of adequate contingency accommodation within the prison estate and the need to relocate a number of operational units from Maze to other locations. It is not therefore possible at this stage to put a precise timescale on the site's release.

Northern Ireland Police Service

Lord Eames: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the projected numerical strengths for 2002–03 of the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and whether they are satisfied with the current recruitment figure.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Currently, the projected strength of the Police Service of Northern Ireland at 31 March 2003 is 9,500 full-time officers, although this figure may vary according to the numbers who leave and are recruited into the PSNI. The Policing Board and the PSNI are currently developing a human resource strategy which will address issues which impact on projected strengths; such as severance uptake and the future of the Full-Time Reserve.
	Recruitment competitions for the PSNI are currently attracting a sufficiently high level of response from both communities to enable an annual intake of over 500 recruits on a 50 per cent Catholic, 50 per cent non-Catholic basis. This is well in excess of Patten's recommended annual intake of 370 recruits.

Judicial Committee of the Privy Council

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 8 July (WA 65), whether they will conduct an appraisal of the resources available to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The resources available to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council are kept under review and the funds voted annually to the Privy Council Office take full account of its needs. The noble Lord may be interested to know that we have addressed the question of audibility in the council chamber, a matter which he has previously raised, and it has been agreed that a new sound system should be installed. If the noble Lord has any other particular issues in mind he is welcome to write to me about them.

Northern Ireland: Recorded Rapes

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many cases of rape have been recorded in Northern Ireland in each of the last seven years; and how many prosecutions have been successful in these cases.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The following table indicates the number of rapes/attempted rapes recorded in Northern Ireland 1993–2000/1.
	
		
			 Year Rape/Attempted Rape Offences % Cleared 
			 1993 193 77.2 
			 1994 208 69.7 
			 1995 259 81.1 
			 1996 292 80.5 
			 1997 294 80.3 
			 1998/99(1) 324 74.4 
			 1999/00(1) 311 75.9 
			 2000/01(1) 232 67.7 
		
	
	(1) As recorded under revised Home Office counting rules.
	The table below provides information on the number of prosecutions and convictions for rape and assault with intent to rape from 1993 to 1999 (the latest figures available).
	
		
			 Year Prosecutions Convictions 
			  Rape Assault with intent to rape Total Rape Assault with intent to rape Total 
			 1993 40 7 47 10 3 13 
			 1994 43 2 45 14 1 15 
			 1995 78 0 78 24 0 24 
			 1996 64 5 69 15 0 15 
			 1997 60 1 61 21 0 21 
			 1998 47 1 48 18 0 18 
			 1999 33 3 36 7 1 8

EU Legislation

Lord Bruce of Donington: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In respect of year 2001–02 (or in respect of any convenient period in the year 2002), how many items of European Union directives, decisions, regulation or other European Union forms of legislation became legally applicable or enforceable in the United Kingdom without prior scrutiny by Parliament's European Scrutiny Committees.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Between January and November 2001 (a period for which figures are readily available) some 600 documents containing proposals for legislation by the Council of Ministers were deposited in Parliament. A precise figure for separate legislative proposals considered by the Scrutiny Committees is not available since a number of the documents considered contained more than one legislative proposal or covered amendments to proposals deposited earlier. A level of agreement (as defined by the Scrutiny Reserve Resolutions) was reached in the Council of Ministers on 53 legislative instruments before the scrutiny committees could complete scrutiny. Eleven of these occurred while Parliament was sitting. Forty-two occurred while Parliament was either in Recess or dissolved for the 2001 General Election.

North Belfast: Rioting on 12 July

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether rioting in North Belfast on 12 July was organised by an organisation on ceasefire; and, if so, whether this is consistent with being on ceasefire.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government condemn without reservation all sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. Those who indulge in street rioting and attacks on the police are attacking the future of society and frustrating the will of the vast majority of law-abiding people. We will continue to keep under review the activities of all paramilitary organisations. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has stated that he will not hesitate to use his statutory powers should the circumstances require it.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there are any occasions on which a court has overturned a decision of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the grounds that it acted contrary to legal advice.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The chief commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the letter from Professor Brice Dickson of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission dated 10 July and lodged in the Library of the House, whether the Casework Committee makes majority decisions about initiating legal actions in the name of the Commission; whether this represents a departure from past practice; and what is their view of this arrangement.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is an independent body and as such is responsible for its own policy. It is not for Government to comment on its policy and practices.
	I have therefore referred this Question to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for a response on whether the arrangement regarding the casework committee and legal actions is a departure from past practice. The chief commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the report by Hosking into the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission was sent to them; and what action they propose.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission sent a copy of the report written by Peter Hosking to me on 5 July. The report is at present being considered and the Government will respond in due course.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have asked the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to comment on the discussion at Weston Park in 2001; and what discussions have taken place with the commission concerning the killings which will be considered for international judicial investigation.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government have not discussed the Weston Park talks, nor the cases included in the remit of Justice Peter Cory, with the commission.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that the officials of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, including Professor Brice Dickson, are dealing with officials of the Northern Ireland Office of a similar rank.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Northern Ireland Office is the sponsoring department for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Therefore most contacts are about administrative matters.
	Managing a sponsoring relationship between a government department and a public body would quite normally be dealt with at Grade B2 (Higher Executive Officer) level and often below.
	It is for the commission to decide how best to apportion duties within its own staff, but it would be inappropriate for more senior staff within the Government to take on relatively junior duties simply to mirror the commission's chosen staffing structure.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the point in a letter from Professor Brice Dickson of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, which is lodged in the Library of the House, that it is for the Government to say whether it was correct for legal opinion to be provided by employees of the commission.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: It is acceptable for the commission to receive legal advice from appropriately qualified employees. However, it is entirely the commission's decision whether or not that advice is acted upon.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 16 July (WA 146), what conditions were attached to the grant in October 2001 of £25,000 to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission bid for £25,000 was in order to finance an independent evaluation. The conditions set out by the Government were that the review should be split into three parts:
	i. An evaluation of the commission's effectiveness in setting out strategic structures.
	ii. An evaluation of its management systems and organisational structure.
	iii. An evaluation of its communication/presentational strategy.
	Each part was to be analysed by experts in the relevant field. However, the commission decided not to conduct the review under the conditions set out. Consequently, the funding was withheld.

Northern Ireland Health Workers: Security

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they propose to take to increase security for health workers in Northern Ireland following the recent spate of attacks.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government condemn the recent threats to hospital staff and attacks on members of the emergency services, who provide a vital service to all the people of Northern Ireland. Those who engage in these sectarian attacks need to be reminded that some day they or their families may be in a situation where they require the help of the emergency services. The police are doing all they can to prevent these types of attacks and to apprehend those responsible.

Downing Street: Entertainment Budget

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 16 July (WA 146) that "it is not our practice to break down the total cost of each individual reception" (at Downing Street and Chequers), whether this is because of difficulty in doing so or because of an unwillingness so to do.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The information requested is not readily available for all individual receptions since 1997. We keep a global figure of the total cost of an official entertainment at 10 Downing Street and Chequers each year and these figures were provided in my Answer of 12 June (WA 35).
	The Prime Minister provided a list of official and charity receptions held at Downing Street since 1 May 1997 in response to a Parliamentary Question. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.

Downing Street: Use of Apartments

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 9 May (WA 202) that "there has been no change in the arrangements governing the occupation of apartments in Downing Street", what those arrangements are; and when they were made.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Under successive administrations, Prime Ministers and their families have occupied the apartments in Downing Street. Guidance on the use of these apartments is set out in the Ministerial Code. Similar guidance was set out in Questions of Procedure for Ministers issued by the then Prime Minister under the last Conservative administration.

Goverment Policies: Precedent

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether in future they intend to refrain from using precedents set by former administrations in justification of their policies or actions.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government will continue to answer Parliamentary Questions in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Code.

Ardoyne Area: Security Arrangements

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the new security arrangements agreed for the Ardoyne area of North Belfast will be completely in place.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government have fulfilled their commitment in taking forward a number of security measures in the Ardoyne area. The new security fence along Alliance Avenue/Glenbryn Park was completed in February this year. Also in February, a CCTV unit erected by the PSNI at the junction of Ardoyne Road/Alliance Avenue became operational. In addition, during the early summer period the PSNI installed CCTV units at various sites throughout North Belfast, including Ardoyne and Crumlin Road, and introduced dedicated community policing arrangements in these areas.
	As set out in the Statement by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 24 July, the additional police and soldiers have already been brought in to North Belfast at the interface areas. The other measures, including the Attorney-General's examination of police powers, bail arrangements and the scope for additional criminal offences are all being taken forward with the utmost expediency.

Northern Ireland: Ceasefires

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 26 June (WA 135) and 23 July, whether it is possible for a paramilitary organisation to be on ceasefire while developing and testing weapons of mass destruction.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: For confidence to be maintained in the process, there must be an assurance that there will never again be a return to the violence of the past, in particular that preparations are not going on under the surface for a resumption of a terrorist campaign. In reviewing the status of the ceasefires it is only right that five years on these judgments should become more rigorous. The Secretary of State reported on 24 July that he will give particular weight to any substantiated information that a paramilitary organisation is engaged in training, targeting, acquisition or development of arms or weapons or any similar preparations for a terrorist campaign in Northern Ireland or elsewhere.

Republic of Ireland: Grant of British Citizenship

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider, as a confidence-building measure, granting British citizenship to residents of the Republic of Ireland who wish it in the same way as Irish citizenship is open to residents in a part of the United Kingdom as specified in Belfast Agreement in 1998.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer to the noble Lord to the reply given by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 9 October 2000 (HL 3943).

Provisional IRA

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the statement by the Lord Privy Seal on 24 July concerning Northern Ireland (HL Deb, col. 406), why they believe that the IRA has never been further from a return to its campaign.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government believe that the leadership of the Provisional movement is committed to pursuing its objectives through a democratic, political process and understand that that is wholly incompatible with a return to a terrorist campaign.

Peers' Expenses

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	What are the new limits for the subsistence and secretarial elements of the Peers' reimbursement allowance scheme from 1 August 2002.

Lord Tordoff: The Resolution of the House of 20 July 1994 provided for the limits of the subsistence and secretarial allowances to be uprated annually on 1 August in line with the increase in the retail prices index over the previous 12 months to July.
	Accordingly, the limits within which Lords may be reimbursed expenses incurred were increased with effect from 1 August 2002 and are as follows:
	
		
			  
			 Overnight subsistence £124.00 
			 Day subsistence £62.00 
			 Secretarial Costs £52.00 
			 Secretarial costs for non-sitting periods £2,080 a year.